Recommended Free Tools
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The 25% tariff announced by the White House on January 14, 2026, applies to a narrowly defined class of imported advanced computing chips—not every AMD or NVIDIA product. The proclamation named NVIDIA H200 and AMD MI325X as examples, set January 15, 2026, as the effective date for covered imports, and exempted several qualifying U.S. end uses, including data centers, research and development, and repairs.
What Trump announced—and when the tariff took effect
The White House said President Donald Trump signed a proclamation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, imposing a 25% tariff on certain advanced computing chips. The announcement named NVIDIA H200 and AMD MI325X as examples; those examples do not define the entire scope. The January 14, 2026 proclamation says the duty applies to covered products entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 15, 2026. It is additional to other applicable duties except where the proclamation provides otherwise.
Which chips are covered?
Coverage depends on both tariff classification and technical performance, not just the manufacturer or a product’s marketing description. The proclamation’s annex identifies specified HTSUS classifications, including 8471.50, 8471.80, and 8473.30, and applies technical tests involving total processing performance and total DRAM bandwidth. The proclamation and annex set out those classification provisions and thresholds.
As a result, the announcement should not be read as a tariff on every NVIDIA or AMD chip, every AI accelerator, every server containing one, or all semiconductor imports. A particular product’s tariff treatment turns on the legal classification and whether it meets the specified parameters. The proclamation characterized this as a narrow first phase, while saying broader tariffs could be considered after trade negotiations.
#1 Best Overall
- Axial-tech fans now feature a smaller fan hub that facilitates longer blades and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure
- 2.5-slot design allows for greater build compatibility while maintaining cooling performance
- 0dB technology lets you enjoy light gaming in relative silence
- Dual BIOS switch lets you toggle between Quiet and Performance BIOS profiles
- Dual ball fan bearings last up to twice as long as sleeve bearing designs
Which uses are exempt?
The proclamation says the 25% rate does not apply to covered products imported for specified uses in the United States. It also allows the Secretary to determine that other uses qualify if they support the U.S. technology supply chain or domestic manufacturing capacity for semiconductor derivatives.
- U.S. data centers.
- Repairs or replacements performed in the United States.
- Research and development in the United States involving the chips.
- Use by U.S. startups.
- Non-data-center consumer applications in the United States.
- Non-data-center civil industrial applications in the United States.
- U.S. public-sector applications.
- Other uses the Secretary determines support the U.S. technology supply chain or domestic semiconductor-derivative manufacturing capacity.
The annex supplies additional definitions and tariff-heading detail for these categories. For example, it defines a U.S. data center for this purpose as a facility requiring more than 100 megawatts of new load dedicated to AI inference, training, simulation, or synthetic data generation. It also defines research and development and incorporates the statutory definition of “emerging growth company” for a startup. Simply using AI chips, or operating a facility or company that uses them, does not by itself establish eligibility.
Rank #2
- Axial-tech fans now feature a smaller fan hub that facilitates longer blades and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure
- Phase-change GPU thermal pad helps ensure optimal heat transfer, lowering GPU temperatures for enhanced performance and reliability
- 2.5-slot design allows for greater build compatibility while maintaining cooling performance
- Dual-ball fan bearings last up to twice as long as standard conventional sleeve bearings designs
- 0dB technology lets you enjoy light gaming in relative silence
Why did the administration impose the tariff?
The proclamation invokes national security under Section 232 and presents semiconductor import volumes and supply-chain conditions as a threat. The administration says the tariff is intended to encourage domestic production, reduce reliance on foreign sources, and support U.S. high-tech infrastructure and research. Those are the administration’s stated rationale and goals, not independently established effects of the tariff.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesIn the proclamation, the administration reproduces the Secretary of Commerce’s findings that the United States consumes roughly one quarter of the world’s semiconductors and fully manufactures approximately 10% of the chips it requires. The proclamation does not identify a separate underlying statistical publication or data year for those figures; 2026 is the date of the proclamation, not necessarily the year measured.
Rank #3
- System Compatibility Note: 2.5‑slot card measuring 303 mm (L) x 131 mm (W) x 45 mm (H); requires a single 8‑pin power connector and a recommended 550W power supply. Please verify chassis clearance and power supply capacity before purchase.
- Dedicated Support: Please contact us directly through Amazon for any product questions or assistance you may require.
- AMD RDNA 3 Architecture with AI & Ray Tracing Acceleration: Powered by 32 RDNA 3 Compute Units featuring 3rd Gen Ray Tracing Accelerators and 2nd Gen AI Accelerators, delivering lifelike lighting, shadows, and superior machine learning performance for enhanced gaming and content creation.
- Powerful 1080p & 1440p Gaming Engine: Features a max boost clock of up to 2695 MHz, a game clock of 2280 MHz, and 2048 stream processors, ensuring outstanding frame rates in the latest titles.
- 8GB High‑Speed GDDR6 Memory: Equipped with 8GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128‑bit interface running at 18 Gbps, delivering up to 288 GB/s bandwidth for high‑resolution textures and demanding game workloads.
Has the tariff changed since the original proclamation?
The proclamation directed the Secretary of Commerce to provide the President with a market update on semiconductors used in U.S. data centers by July 1, 2026, to inform whether modifying the tariff might be appropriate. The outcome of that review and whether the tariff was later amended are not established here. The January 2026 proclamation describes the original terms; it should not be treated on its own as confirmation that those terms remain in force unchanged. For a current import decision, check the latest HTSUS, Federal Register notices, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidance. Any advanced-chip export licensing rule is a separate policy instrument and should not be confused with this import tariff.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Powered by Radeon RX 9070 XT
- WINDFORCE Cooling System
- Hawk Fan
- Server-grade Thermal Conductive Gel
- RGB Lighting
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
