Broader chip tariffs pile pressure on Samsung, SK hynix to build more factories in U.S. - Korea JoongAng Daily

The U.S. is intensifying pressure on South Korean chipmakers like Samsung and SK Hynix to invest in U.S. manufacturing facilities, as part of a new round of broader chip tariffs. These proposed duties... Read original →

The latest U.S. chip tariff measures are reshaping the global semiconductor landscape, compelling Samsung and SK Hynix to increase investments in U.S. manufacturing facilities to avoid higher duties. This policy shift directly impacts the DRAM and NAND flash supply chains, especially critical for AI accelerators, where supply chain restructuring is accelerating. Companies face rising compliance costs amid U.S.-China decoupling, pushing them toward localized production. U.S. players like Micron and Solidigm may respond with accelerated capacity expansion to maintain market dominance. In the medium term, the U.S. will increasingly become the focal point for chip manufacturing, although labor costs and underdeveloped ecosystems pose significant barriers. Over the next 12–24 months, the industry will see policy-driven growth, with regionalized supply chains and tech self-reliance becoming central competitive factors.