U.S. Opens 'AI Export Program' to Foreign Firms... Samsung and SK's Input Reflected

Reflecting Samsung and SK's Feedback: Foreign Companies Now Eligible

Korean Firms Key to HBM Supply Chain May Qualify for NCE Status

51% U.S.-Made Requirement and China-Related Restrictions Apply

The U.S. government has decided to allow foreign companies to participate in its "U.S.-made AI Export Program," an initiative designed to maintain leadership in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. This move is seen as partly reflecting opinions submitted last year by companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.

According to the U.S. Federal Register on April 16 (local time), the International Trade Administration (ITA) of the Department of Commerce announced that it is accepting consortium proposals for the "Full-Stack U.S. AI Package" and specified that foreign companies are eligible to participate. In particular, the ITA stated that foreign companies providing high added value and contributing to U.S. national interests in hardware, infrastructure, and AI model and system segments may be designated as "National Champion Enterprises" (NCE).

As a result, major Korean companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix will not only be able to participate in the program, but may also be considered for NCE designation in the hardware and infrastructure sectors.

Trump signs AI executive order. Washington AP=Yonhap News.

Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized the necessity of the "U.S.-made AI Export Program" in an executive order signed in July last year, highlighting a thoroughly U.S.-centric approach focused on "U.S.-made AI technology," "domestic manufacturing," and the "global dissemination of U.S. AI technology, standards, and governance." However, the latest ITA announcement appears to reflect a more pragmatic and flexible stance, as it permits participation by companies from allied nations.

This change is interpreted as acknowledging that companies from allied countries, including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, play an essential role in the competition for AI supremacy. However, the ITA also set certain restrictions on foreign company participation.

The anchor company, which leads the consortium, must be a U.S. company. For contributions to U.S. national interests in the hardware and infrastructure sectors, a requirement has been set that more than 51% of the content, such as components, must be U.S.-made. In addition, in the data and security fields, participation by companies linked to countries of concern, such as China, is restricted. As a result, while participation in the program offers the opportunity to enter the U.S.-led AI supply chain early and expand exports, it may also pose a burden on businesses related to China due to the need to comply with U.S. export control standards.

In an opinion submitted to the U.S. Department of Commerce in December last year, Samsung Electronics suggested that while U.S. companies would lead the consortia, the participation of long-standing allies like Korea and trusted companies such as Samsung would be essential for the program's success. SK Group also conveyed the view that the participation of allied country companies is critical to ensuring best-in-class technological competitiveness across the entire AI stack.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.