Bitcoin mining companies in the US are gearing up to take advantage of the recent pause in tariffs from the Trump administration by acquiring mining rigs. However, executives in the industry assert that the standard 10% tariffs will still put them at a disadvantage.
President Trump has temporarily suspended substantial reciprocal tariffs until July 8, though a minimum 10% tariff remains in place on most countries except China, which faces a steep 145% rate.
Jaran Mellerud, CEO of Hashlabs, mentioned that while the new 10% tax is significantly lower than the previous tariffs, US miners still find themselves at a “clear disadvantage” when competing for mining machines against international rivals.
He commented that these baseline tariffs do not make mining in the US unviable, but they certainly increase capital expenditure and may affect the long-term prospects of new investments.
“We anticipate a short-term surge in machine imports as miners move quickly to avoid potential future tariff increases,” Mellerud noted.
Source: Jaran Mellerud
Ethan Vera, COO of Luxor Technology, pointed out that prices for crypto mining rigs are already rising.
“US miners are eager to buy machines ahead of a potential rate increase in 90 days. Additionally, machines that have landed in the US have seen price increases, along with contracts for domestic assembly.”
On April 2, new tariffs imposed by Trump affected Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia—home to some of the largest manufacturers of mining rigs—setting rates of 36%, 32%, and 24%, respectively.
Tariff volatility could hinder US Bitcoin mining expansion
Mellerud remarked in an April 8 report, prior to the pause on increased tariffs, that the recent levies could severely diminish US demand for mining rigs and benefit foreign mining operations, as manufacturers would likely seek overseas markets for their surplus inventory at lower prices.
He expressed that although the reduced tariffs bring some relief to US miners, the inconsistency in tariff policies adds significant uncertainty for Bitcoin mining firms trying to strategize and expand.
“Miners need stability and clear regulations, not a fluctuating policy landscape every few months.”
Vera also emphasized that these policy shifts “will undoubtedly impede growth” within the United States.
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Vera indicated that Luxor has even been compelled to reevaluate its plans and consider branching out into international markets for future growth opportunities.
During his presidential campaign, Trump asserted his desire for all remaining Bitcoin (BTC) to be “manufactured in the USA.”
Additionally, several of Trump’s family members recently teamed up with the Bitcoin mining firm Hut 8 to spearhead a new Bitcoin mining initiative called “American Bitcoin.” This project aims to establish the world’s leading Bitcoin mining company with strategic reserves.
Vera noted that despite the broad nature of these tariffs, the crypto mining industry is not viewed as a “high priority” by the Trump administration.
These tariffs have disrupted nearly every market, including cryptocurrency markets, with Bitcoin experiencing a 1.2% decline over the past 24 hours, currently priced at $80,555, according to available data.
Bitcoin now stands 26% below its all-time high of $108,786 reached on January 20—the same day Trump returned to the presidency.
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