Legacy Semiconductor Tariffs: Navigating Sourcing Complexities in Consumer Technology

CTA surveyed consumer technology industry experts (professionals that work for consumer technology companies that manufacture, import or distribute consumer technology devices) to better understand the impact of potential tariffs on legacy semiconductors incorporated into finished consumer technology (CT) products. The research explored the awareness of legacy semiconductors in CT products, their country of origin and the potential of sourcing legacy components from other countries.

Focus Areas

• Assess the tech industry’s current understanding of the impact of potential tariffs on legacy semiconductors incorporated in CT products and the supply chain for the consumption and incorporation of those semiconductors, gauging volumetrics such as:
• Number (and country of origins) of legacy semiconductors in CT products
• Determine manufacturing/importers plans for continued use or alternative sourcing for legacy semiconductors
• Understand challenges that possible tariffs on legacy semiconductors could pose to manufacturers, importers and distributors of CT.

The results of the study shed light on the complexity of the consumer technology supply chain. These findings are critical for understanding the importance of semiconductors in all consumer technology products, and for assessing the potentially harmful impacts of tariffs on semiconductors and their derivative products, which are now a possibility due to the Section 232 investigation now underway.

Published: May 2025

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