事关半导体行业美国发新关税威胁，韩国谨慎评估对美大规模投资

Group 1 - The core concern is the uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariffs on semiconductor imports, which could reach up to 100% if companies do not invest in U.S. production [1][3] - The U.S. Secretary of Commerce indicated that companies producing memory semiconductors have two options: pay the 100% tariff or produce in the U.S., reflecting a strategy to leverage tariffs to encourage domestic investment [3][4] - South Korea's semiconductor industry is on high alert due to the potential for increased tariffs, which could disrupt investment decisions and operational strategies [1][6] Group 2 - The lack of clear details in the U.S.-Korea trade negotiations is a major concern for South Korean companies, as the semiconductor terms remain undefined, leading to uncertainty in investment planning [4][6] - Currently, the direct impact of U.S. tariffs on South Korean semiconductor exports is limited, as only a small percentage of exports are affected, with 2025 projections showing only 7.9% of total semiconductor exports going to the U.S. [5][6] - Despite the short-term stability, there are warnings of accumulating long-term pressures, as the U.S. has indicated that current tariff measures are just the first phase, with potential expansions to broader semiconductor products [5][6] Group 3 - Major South Korean semiconductor firms, including Samsung and SK Hynix, are adopting a cautious approach, delaying significant investment decisions due to the unpredictable U.S. policy environment [7][8] - The South Korean government has expressed that large-scale investments in the U.S. are unlikely to commence in the first half of the year, with concerns over capital outflow exacerbated by the depreciation of the Korean won [8] - The South Korean government aims to negotiate with the U.S. based on the principle of not providing less favorable treatment compared to competitors, while also analyzing the recent U.S.-Taiwan agreement for strategic insights [8]