US Commerce Secretary Lutnick urges Samsung, SK Hynix to boost memory output in US - The Korea Economic Daily Global Edition

US Commerce Secretary Lutnick urged Samsung and SK Hynix to increase memory chip production capacity in response to the growing demand from the artificial intelligence infrastructure boom. This move r... Read original →

The U.S. Commerce Secretary’s push for Samsung and SK Hynix to scale memory output domestically isn’t just about AI-driven demand—it’s a strategic move to de-risk critical semiconductor supply chains. This triggers a technical ripple: HBM4’s advanced packaging intensifies pressure on materials and equipment tolerances, potentially exacerbating TSMC’s CoWoS bottlenecks and benefiting U.S.-based toolmakers. Compliance costs will surge as Korean firms navigate conflicting U.S.-China tech controls, likely inflating capex by 15–20%. Micron stands to gain domestic market share via policy tailwinds, while CXMT may deepen ties with customers in Taiwan, China. Within 18 months, Washington could restrict HBM exports under ‘national security’ pretexts, forcing global memory leaders to establish ‘clean-room’ fabs in the U.S.—effectively bifurcating global capacity.