Trump’s Proposed 25% Tariff Threatens Billions in Losses for Samsung and SK hynix

South Korea's semiconductor giants face severe financial headwinds as former U.S. President Donald TRUMP revives protectionist trade policies. A proposed 25% tariff on Korean imports could erase $5.6 billion combined from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix's annual revenues, according to 2023 sales figures.

The August 1 implementation deadline looms as global chip supply chains brace for renewed disruption. Samsung's Device Solutions division stands to lose $3.5 billion, while SK hynix could see $2.1 billion evaporate from its memory chip business. These losses would Ripple through an already fragile semiconductor ecosystem still recovering from pandemic-era shortages.

Seoul maintains strategic leverage through its dominance in memory chip production, potentially softening the tariff's impact. Both companies have hedged their bets with U.S. manufacturing investments, including Samsung's $17 billion Texas fab and SK hynix's Indiana packaging plant.