Trump’s semiconductor tariff plan likely delayed, officials say

US officials are privately saying that they might not levy long-promised semiconductor tariffs soon, potentially delaying a centerpiece of President Donald J. Trump's economic agenda

- 

Officials relayed these messages over the last several days to stakeholders in government and private industry, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter, and a third person briefed on the conversations. A fourth person following the matter also said the administration was taking a more cautious approach to avoid provoking China. The discussions have not been previously reported.

Mr. Trump aides are taking their time on chip tariffs as they work to avoid a rupture with Beijing over trade issues, which would risk a return to a tit-for-tat trade war and disruption of the flow of critical rare earth minerals, according to two of the people.

Those people cautioned that no decision is final until the administration signs off on it and also said that triple-digit tariffs could be imposed at any time. The sources spoke anonymously in order to recount private conversations about policy deliberations.