Korea aims for fair US tariff treatment on memory chip imports amid new export rules affecting Samsung and SK Hynix.
Korea (Rep.) will seek favourable terms for US tariffs on memory chip imports, a presidential office spokesperson said on Sunday 18 January 2026.
The country’s trade deal with the US, outlined in a joint fact sheet released last year, included provisions ensuring Korea (Rep.) will not face less favourable treatment from US tariffs compared with key competitors.
The comments come after US President Trump’s administration imposed tariffs on certain advanced computing chips. South Korea’s trade minister said on Saturday that the tariffs would have a limited impact on domestic companies.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, two of the world’s largest memory chip producers, will benefit from a recent US decision allowing them to import semiconductor production equipment to China in 2026. The clearance, granted following the 31 December 2026 termination of license exemptions for some Chinese semiconductor businesses, temporarily relieves the South Korean firms from US export restrictions.
Under the new rules, companies must renew authorisation annually to import US chipmaking equipment. Analysts said the licences help ensure manufacturing continuity in China while limiting Chinese access to advanced semiconductor technology. The yearly arrangement increases uncertainty for future shipments but allows Samsung and SK Hynix to meet global demand, particularly in AI-driven cloud infrastructure markets.
