Overview
American Bitcoin miners are struggling after President Trump’s new tariffs focus on crucial hardware imports. Since importing specialized mining computers is now much more expensive, businesses fear this could slow America’s lead in the Bitcoin market.
The reason ASIC miners are under attack
At the center of the debate are ASIC miners, machines built just for mining Bitcoin. Laptops and smartphones are not covered by Trump’s tariff plan; these devices are.
The Digital Energy Council, which brings together energy and technology companies, is urging the U.S. Department of Commerce to include ASICs in the same tariff group. ASICs are computers, but they are built to do just one thing.
For now, miners are facing the 10% tariff, which means they must pay more for their equipment. Last year, publicly traded mining firms devoted more than $3.6 billion to buying ASICs.
Trying to Work Fast—And Then a Surprise Happens
When news of tariffs was announced, miners rushed to have their ASICs shipped from abroad before the new costs were applied, which meant they had to pay four times the standard airfare.
For many companies, using chartered flights meant paying $3 mn to meet the April 9, 2025, target. After that, Trump put the original plan on hold for three months.
In May, China’s tariffs were reduced further, but the benefits will disappear soon. Rates may rise once more in July.
Manufacturing Problems Around the World
Most of the ASICs in the world are built in Asia. Due to the fees, companies like Bitmain and MicroBT began building their products in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia years ago.
Today, those regions are experiencing new limits on trade. Things are even worse for miners because Chinese electrical equipment, like transformers and cables, is also being taxed.
Weaker U.S. demand for ASICs could slow the growth of Bitcoin’s total computing power, which secures the blockchain and processes transactions globally.
What Politicians Say vs. What Economics Tells Us
During his presidential bid, Trump promised to support cryptocurrency, saying he would overturn Biden’s banking rules and help the U.S. become a leader in Bitcoin. While he has removed some rules, tariffs don’t fit with his goals.
There are also reasons based on national security. The DEC argues that boosting domestic mining helps improve the strength of energy and data networks.
The Investment Accelerator program, introduced by the Commerce Department in March 2025, is helping miners deal with regulations. Yet, tariff reduction is needed for these efforts to succeed.
Mining Apps and Creative Workarounds
To help cut expenses, some miners are now using software solutions. Mining apps that optimize energy use or automate hardware maintenance are gaining traction.
Others are looking for cheap ASICs in other countries or changing how older ASICs are used.
What’s Going to Happen with Bitcoin Mining in the United States?
After the 90-day pause on tariffs ends in July, miners are asking for special exemptions. The DEC is hoping to prove to officials that ASICs can be seen as just another type of computer.
Should they succeed, it might solve the crisis. The industry’s need for innovation and flexibility makes its challenges important.
