Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing pressure from the U.S. government on South Korean semiconductor manufacturers to expand production in the U.S. or face significant tariffs, highlighting the strategic importance of the semiconductor industry in the context of U.S. economic policy and competition with global players [1][2][5]. Group 1: U.S. Tariff Policies - U.S. Commerce Secretary Raimondo has threatened South Korean memory chip manufacturers with tariffs as high as 100% if they do not increase production in the U.S. [2] - Starting January 15, the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on certain imported semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment [5]. - The tariff policy is structured in two phases, with the first phase targeting a small number of products and the second phase expanding the scope after negotiations [5]. Group 2: Company Responses - Micron Technology has begun construction on a $100 billion semiconductor manufacturing facility in New York, which is expected to be the largest private investment project in the state's history [2]. - The facility aims to meet the growing demand for advanced memory chips, particularly for artificial intelligence applications, with production expected to start by 2030 [3]. - SK Hynix plans to invest 19 trillion KRW (approximately 90 billion RMB) in a new advanced packaging factory in Cheongju, South Korea, to address the rising demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) [3]. Group 3: Industry Implications - The U.S. tariff measures are part of a broader strategy to bolster domestic semiconductor production and reduce reliance on foreign manufacturers [5][6]. - The South Korean government is actively monitoring the situation and has held meetings with local semiconductor companies to discuss strategies to mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs [5][6]. - There is a recognition that the tariff policy may create significant uncertainty in the global semiconductor industry, potentially affecting supply chains and investment decisions [6].
100%关税!美国,突发威胁!事关芯片,韩国紧急回应!