# South Korea’s trade minister Yeo Han-koo has said that the tariffs will have a ‘limited impact’ on the country's tech giants – for now.

*semiconductor · news · 2026-01-18 · Times of India*

## Key points

- The new 25% US tariffs target high-end AI processors, not South Korea’s main memory chips.
- South Korea’s trade minister warns future 'Phase 2' tariffs may eventually hit general-purpose chips.
- US Commerce Secretary Lutnick threatened up to 100% tariffs for foreign chipmakers not investing in US plants.
- Samsung and SK Hynix have already pledged billions for US production to avoid harsher future penalties.
- South Korea’s government is coordinating with industry to address escalated US tariff threats and shifting regulations.

**Companies:** Nvidia, AMD, Samsung, SK Hynix
**Countries:** South Korea, United States

[Read the full story on Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/us-chip-tariff-south-korea-says-limited-immediate-impact-warns-of-phase-2/articleshow/126656226.cms)

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