U.S. Intensifies Pressure on Samsung and SK to Invest in Semiconductors Locally

The U.S. government is increasing pressure on Samsung Electronics and SK hynix by formalizing a plan to link semiconductor tariffs with investment in production in the United States. In a media interview on local time the 2nd, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said that tariffs would not be applied to companies that build factories in the United States, and called for expanded production in the U.S. Secretary Lutnick also said that Samsung and SK hynix should build factories in the United States, and presented a goal of greatly increasing the share of semiconductor production in the U.S. Both companies already have largescale investment plans in the United States, but the U.S. government appears to want even more local production. This pressure is interpreted as reflecting not only the shortage of memory supplies but also political calculations to highlight the achievements of U.S. manufacturing. The industry is concerned that tariffs may expand not only to semiconductors but also to related electronic devices and servers, while the South Korean government says it will respond through consultations with the United States so that domestic companies are not adversely affected.