[U.S. Commerce Secretary: Korean Companies May Face 100% Chip Tariffs If They Don't Increase U.S. Investments] Jin10 Data, January 17 – U.S. Commerce Secretary Lutnick stated on Friday that if South Korean memory chip manufacturers do not commit to increasing investments in the United States, they may face tariffs as high as 100%. Lutnick said, "Every company that wants to conduct memory chip business in the U.S. has two choices: either pay a 100% tariff or build locally in the U.S. This is industrial policy." He did not mention any specific company names. Currently, Trump has not imposed tariffs on most foreign-manufactured semiconductor products but has instructed Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Greer to negotiate with trade partners to reduce U.S. reliance on chip imports. Earlier this week, the White House stated that Trump may announce new tariff measures and corresponding compensation plans "in the near future" to incentivize domestic manufacturing development.