Silicon carbide (SiC), a critical material for electric vehicle (EV) powertrains, is under strain in the US despite protective trade policies. Initially bolstered by US President Donald Trump’s first-term restrictions on SiC exports for military use and continued under former President Joe Biden’s Section 301 tariffs, the US SiC industry now faces heightened scrutiny as Trump’s second term promises further protections. However, industry insiders warn that domestic SiC manufacturers may not withstand market pressures long enough to benefit.