American crypto miners have grown increasingly concerned about their future operations as President Donald Trump’s new tariffs target Asian imports — a major source of Bitcoin mining equipment for the industry.

Bitcoin mining hardware manufactured in Southeast Asia now faces potential tariffs of up to 36%, putting added pressure on U.S. crypto miners who depend heavily on imported equipment. 

While a standard 10% tariff still applies, Trump’s proposed trade policy—which would increase import taxes on machines from countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand—has been delayed by a 90-day pause. The policy, originally scheduled to take effect on April 9, outlines tariff hikes ranging from 24% to 36%, threatening to drive up operational costs across the mining industry.

According to Fortune, Luxor Technology, a mining hardware marketplace, imports many of its machines from Thailand. The company’s chief operating officer, Ethan Vera, said the proposed 36% tariff on those imports would significantly damage the firm’s return on investment.

Bitcoin mining activity in the U.S. is largely concentrated in Georgia, with Texas and New York also hosting major operations. These mining hubs come with steep expenses, as companies pour much of their budgets into keeping hardware up to date and covering the high electricity demands of their facilities.

“Those machines are never going to return the capital if there’s another 36% on,” Vera said. “The margins are just too tight,” he added. 

What ended up being a rushed — and ultimately unnecessary — scramble to beat a looming tariff deadline has revealed the broader difficulty and cost of reshaping global supply chains under the weight of President Trump’s unpredictable trade policies.

For the crypto mining industry, in particular, the tariff threats are proving especially disruptive. Few high-performance mining rigs are manufactured in the U.S., forcing companies to depend heavily on imports to stay competitive in the global Bitcoin race.

This dynamic stands in sharp contrast to Trump’s campaign promises to champion American miners and ensure that Bitcoin would be “made in the USA.” Instead, shifting tariffs and limited domestic alternatives have left mining companies squeezed by rising costs and uncertain market conditions, complicating efforts to scale operations on U.S. soil.

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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

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