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Commerce Sec Threatens 100% Tariff on Korean Memory

7/26/2026

25 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick warned Samsung Electronics and SK hynix at Micron's concrete pour in Clay, New York, on July 9 that a 100% tariff on Korean memory will apply unless they build U.S. fabs.
Analysts say the AI memory shortage already makes memory a 2026 bottleneck for servers and PCs.
Foundries allocate capacity by margin, prompting experts to advise buffer stock, long-term supplier ties and interchangeable components.

History

Historical Context

During the 1989 U.S.–Japan semiconductor dispute, Washington threatened a 30 % tariff on Japanese DRAM, prompting NEC to pledge a $2.5 billion, 300-mm fab in Austin. The episode showed how tariffs spurred foreign investment, a pattern echoed today as the CHIPS for America Act drives U.S. pressure on Samsung and SK Hynix to build domestic fabs.

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Story summary

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick warned Samsung Electronics and SK hynix at Micron's concrete pour in Clay, New York, on July 9 that a 100% tariff on Korean memory will apply unless they build U.S. fabs.
Analysts say the AI memory shortage already makes memory a 2026 bottleneck for servers and PCs.
Foundries allocate capacity by margin, prompting experts to advise buffer stock, long-term supplier ties and interchangeable components.

1 / 2