芯片巨头，倍感不安

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. government is considering revoking exemptions that allow South Korean chip manufacturers to import U.S. chip equipment for facility upgrades, creating uncertainty for their operations in China [1][2]. Group 1: U.S. Government Actions - The Biden administration's export control measures aim to prevent advanced chip manufacturing tools from being sent to China, but exemptions were previously granted to major manufacturers like Samsung and SK Hynix to avoid disrupting global supply chains [1]. - Jeffrey Kessler, a former deputy assistant secretary of commerce, indicated that the planned revocation of exemptions is part of a broader strategy to limit the flow of critical U.S. technology to China [1]. Group 2: Impact on South Korean Manufacturers - Samsung and SK Hynix have taken steps to mitigate potential risks from U.S. regulations, and the short-term impact is expected to be limited, although they remain vigilant due to the significant portion of their production in China [2]. - Samsung's sales are heavily reliant on China, with approximately 25% of its chip sales coming from the region, while SK Hynix produces about 40% of its DRAM and 30% of its NAND flash in China [2]. Group 3: Industry Context - The licensing system for chip equipment may resemble China's restrictions on rare earth exports, indicating a potential shift in the regulatory landscape [2]. - Industry experts believe that the U.S. regulations primarily target Chinese companies rather than multinational corporations, suggesting that there may still be exemptions available [2].