Global memory chip crunch set to intensify amid Trump’s new industrial policy

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Ann CaoJanuary 19, 2026 at 12:00 PM

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The global memory chip shortage and rising prices may worsen due to potential US tariffs on foreign manufacturers. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that memory chipmakers face a choice: pay a 100% tariff or build factories in America. This warning comes as the memory chip sector experiences a "super cycle," where major suppliers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron prioritize advanced DRAM and HBM production for AI applications. This focus limits the supply of consumer DRAM, impacting the consumer electronics market. Samsung and SK Hynix of South Korea, along with Nanya Technology and Winbond Electronics of Taiwan, are major memory chip manufacturers potentially affected by the tariffs.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

New York 40% TrendForce 50% Nanya Technology 60% Winbond Electronics 60% Micron Technology 70% Taiwan 70% SK Hynix ×280% Howard Lutnick ×280% Samsung Electronics ×280% United States ×290%

Keywords

memory chip 100% tariffs 90% supply shortage 80% industrial policy 70% dram 60% hbm 60% micron technology 50% artificial intelligence 50% samsung electronics 40% sk hynix 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Negative

Score: -0.30

Source Transparency

Source

South China Morning Post

Political Lean

Center-Right (0.50)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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memory chip tariffs supply shortage industrial policy dram hbm micron technology artificial intelligence samsung electronics sk hynix

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