US Pushes Samsung and SK Hynix to Establish Domestic Memory Chip Production Following Micron’s Lead

• July 10, 2026

The United States government is advocating for South Korean memory chip giants Samsung Electronics and SK hynix to establish manufacturing facilities for memory products within the country. This move aims to enhance domestic chip production capabilities and aligns with recent actions taken by US-based Micron Technology.

Samsung Electronics has had a manufacturing presence in Austin, Texas, dating back to 1996, primarily producing semiconductor chips. However, the company currently does not manufacture memory chips on US soil. This gap in memory production has drawn increased attention from US trade officials seeking to bolster the domestic semiconductor industry.

Strengthening US Semiconductor Manufacturing

Howard Lutnick, the US Secretary of Commerce, recently stated that Samsung and SK hynix will need to follow Micron’s example by building memory chip plants in the United States. Micron, the only major American memory chip producer, has expanded its production capacity domestically, demonstrating a strategic advantage amid global chip supply concerns.

The push for Samsung and SK hynix to localize their memory chip production reflects ongoing efforts by the US government to reduce reliance on overseas supply chains and to secure critical technology supply lines. This initiative also aligns with broader national policies encouraging investment in high-tech manufacturing through incentives and regulatory support.

Samsung’s semiconductor operations in Texas have historically focused on foundry services and logic chip manufacturing rather than memory components. The planned or expected expansion to include memory chip fabrication would mark a significant shift, potentially creating numerous jobs and boosting the region’s high-tech manufacturing sector.

SK hynix, another key player in the global memory market, has likewise been encouraged to establish new manufacturing bases within US borders. This would diversify production locations for memory chips and mitigate risks associated with geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions.

No detailed timelines or formal announcements regarding the construction or opening of new facilities by Samsung or SK hynix in the US have been disclosed. Nonetheless, this directive from the US Department of Commerce signifies a strategic push to increase domestic chip production in response to growing global demand and security concerns.

As the semiconductor industry remains a critical component of the global technology ecosystem, the US government’s insistence on local manufacturing is poised to reshape how memory chip production is distributed internationally in the coming years.

The US government urges Samsung and SK hynix to build memory chip manufacturing facilities on US soil, following Micron’s domestic expansion.