South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix said Thursday that some customers have accelerated orders in anticipation of potential U.S. tariffs on semiconductors, contributing to improved market conditions. However, the company cautioned that it remains unclear whether this trend will persist.
South Korea’s SK Hynix, the world’s second-largest memory chipmaker, reported on Thursday that some customers have accelerated orders in anticipation of potential U.S. tariffs on semiconductors.
Speaking at the company’s annual shareholder meeting, Lee Sang-rak, SK Hynix’s Head of Global Sales and Marketing, noted that the early orders, combined with reduced inventory levels among clients, have contributed to favorable market conditions. However, he cautioned that it remains uncertain whether this trend will continue.
In January, SK Hynix projected a 10-20% decline in shipments of DRAM and NAND flash memory chips for the first quarter compared to the previous quarter. Meanwhile, U.S. chipmakers Micron and SanDisk, along with China’s YMTC, have reportedly raised memory chip prices, partly due to strong demand from the AI sector. These companies have not yet commented on the matter.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced in February that he intends to impose tariffs of approximately 25% on semiconductor imports, among other products. Analysts at Nomura noted this week that concerns over these potential tariffs have led to preemptive transfers of semiconductor inventory to the United States. However, they also cautioned that if the tariffs are implemented, they could lead to higher consumer prices and potentially dampen demand.
SK Hynix remains optimistic about its business outlook, particularly in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips. CEO Kwak Noh-Jung told shareholders that demand for HBM chips, which are critical for AI applications, is expected to see “explosive growth” this year, supported by continued investments in data centers.
The company has already sold out its HBM sales for 2025 and plans to finalize 2026 sales agreements within the first half of this year to enhance revenue stability, Kwak said.
While some industry observers raised concerns about a slowdown in AI hardware spending—particularly after Chinese startup DeepSeek claimed to have developed cost-efficient AI models—Nvidia, a key player in the sector, recently reaffirmed strong demand for AI chips. Kwak suggested that companies like DeepSeek could ultimately contribute to medium-to-long-term demand for AI memory chips rather than reducing it.
The Trump administration is moving to revise AI chip export regulations, seeking to simplify trade rules and address feedback from global stakeholders and the technology sector.
China successfully launched a new communication technology test satellite into space on Friday, state-run media reported.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has unveiled Türkiye’s 2030 Industry and Technology Strategy Document, outlining a comprehensive roadmap to boost the country’s technological independence and industrial strength.
Despite its dominance in industrial robotics, China faces challenges in the race for humanoid robots due to its reliance on foreign technology and U.S. trade restrictions.
The inside of a Herculaneum delicate & ancient scroll, unseen for nearly 2,000 years, has been revealed using Artificial Intelligence.
Five people were taken to hospital with stab wounds and later arrested after a violent incident at a music event in Thamesmead, southeast London.
At least 27 people have died after powerful storms swept across the U.S. Midwest and South, with Kentucky among the hardest-hit states.
A bomb exploded near a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California on Saturday, killing one person and damaging the building, officials said.
A second man has been arrested in connection with a series of arson attacks targeting properties and a vehicle linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Romanians are heading to the polls Sunday in a tense presidential runoff between two very different candidates: hard-right leader George Simion and pro-European Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace at 10:00 local time today to explore security guarantees, territorial integrity and a possible ceasefire.
EU approves 17th Russia sanctions, blacklisting almost 200 shadow‑fleet ships, 30 evasion firms and 75 defence figures, banning missile chemicals and arming Brussels to strike Kremlin hybrid and operations.
NASA’s Perseverance rover has spotted the first aurora on Mars visible to the human eye, offering a glimpse of what future astronauts might one day enjoy under the Martian sky.
China and Russia have agreed to build a nuclear-powered lunar base by 2036 at the Moon’s south pole. The International Lunar Research Station will support scientific research and resource exploration, marking a major step in their joint space efforts amid shifting global space priorities.
ChatGPT climbed to fifth place among the world’s most visited websites in April, outpacing rivals in the AI space despite increasing competition, including from China’s DeepSeek.
Plan-S has entered a strategic partnership with Azerbaijan's national space agency, Azercosmos, to support the country’s digital transformation through satellite-based solutions, particularly in rural areas and sectors like agriculture and energy.
China launched a group of space-based computing satellites aboard a Long March-2D rocket, according to state media.
Five people were taken to hospital with stab wounds and later arrested after a violent incident at a music event in Thamesmead, southeast London.
At least 27 people have died after powerful storms swept across the U.S. Midwest and South, with Kentucky among the hardest-hit states.
A bomb exploded near a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California on Saturday, killing one person and damaging the building, officials said.
A second man has been arrested in connection with a series of arson attacks targeting properties and a vehicle linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Romanians are heading to the polls Sunday in a tense presidential runoff between two very different candidates: hard-right leader George Simion and pro-European Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan.
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