U.S.-China chip warfare may harm South Korea’s tech giants — however not for lengthy, Fitch says

The U.S.-China chip warfare may impression South Korea’s chip giants as China accounts for a big chunk of their manufacturing capability — however there should not be long-term disruptions, in accordance with Fitch Scores.

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix face dangers because the U.S. seeks to dam China’s entry to superior semiconductor chip gear, in accordance with the June 7 report.

China accounts for 40% of Samsung’s complete flash reminiscence chips (NAND) manufacturing functionality, stated the analysts led by Matt Jamieson. It additionally accounts for 40%-50% of SK Hynix’s dynamic random entry reminiscence (DRAM) chips and 20% of its NAND capability.

“We don’t assume there can be a serious long-term provide disruption, as it’s probably that Korea will turn out to be the principle location for the 2 firms’ expansionary funding and expertise upgrades,” the credit score rankings company stated within the June 7 report.

The U.S. in October launched sweeping guidelines to chop off China’s entry to acquire or manufacture high-tech semiconductor chips. They got here as issues grew over China’s potential to make use of such high-tech chips to advance its army capabilities. The Netherlands and Japan are reportedly poised to comply with go well with.

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are the 2 largest producers of reminiscence chips globally, adopted by U.S.-based Micron in third place. Reminiscence chips are storage gadgets used in computer systems, smartphones and tablets.

The businesses’ fabrication vegetation in China make superior chips in addition to older chips, that are exempted from the U.S. restrictions. The reminiscence chips are produced for Chinese language consumption in addition to exports.

Nonetheless, the 2 chip giants obtained one-year waivers from the U.S. to proceed importing superior instruments for his or her China vegetation till October, in accordance with the Korea Occasions.

“Ought to the U.S. not lengthen the waiver, we count on the businesses to proceed producing reminiscence chips at their Chinese language vegetation utilizing already put in expertise,” stated Fitch Scores.

In what’s seen as a retaliatory transfer, China banned the sale of merchandise from Micron to be used in important data infrastructure in Could.

Fitch Scores stated Samsung and SK Hynix “might profit from increased chip costs inside China because of this. Nonetheless, the impression is more likely to be small and may very well be offset if Micron redirects the sale of its reminiscence chips exterior of China, as this could most likely decrease world chip costs.”

The White Home reportedly urged South Korea to not let its chipmakers fill Micron’s void in China. Round 10% of Micron’s income come from China, in accordance with Micron’s fiscal 2022 report.

The Fitch report stated the 2 South Korean chipmakers will no less than partially fill Micron’s hole. “It will likely be troublesome to observe what capability misplaced by Micron is definitely stuffed by the Korean firms, given the commodity-like nature of reminiscence chips.”

“The logistics of this technique may take time, however may offset any constructive impression Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix might acquire from the ban on Micron inside China in gentle of the world’s reminiscence chip oversupply,” the analysts stated.

Nonetheless, dangers may additional enhance if the U.S. or China implement extra excessive rulings and bans, as it would have an effect on the associated fee and availability of semiconductor supply-chain parts, they added.