A senior US trade official has outlined key priorities for upcoming negotiations under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) while also discussing potential tariff measures on semiconductors to boost domestic production.

According to statements from the trade official, initial USMCA negotiations are expected to focus on content rules and economic security considerations. These discussions represent part of the ongoing review and potential revision of the trade agreement that replaced NAFTA.

Separately, the official indicated that the administration is considering tariffs on semiconductor chips as a mechanism to encourage domestic growth in the critical technology sector. The semiconductor industry has become a focal point for US economic policy as officials seek to reduce dependence on foreign supply chains.

The comments come as the Biden administration continues to implement policies aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities, particularly in strategic sectors like semiconductors. The US has already enacted significant legislation, including the CHIPS Act, to support domestic chip production.

Both the USMCA review process and semiconductor policy discussions reflect broader efforts to reshape US trade relationships and industrial policy in response to supply chain vulnerabilities exposed during recent global disruptions.