Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong Arriving After Business Trip to the U.S. (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kang Tae-woo = Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong is arriving at Incheon International Airport early on the 15th, following a roughly two-week business trip to the United States. 2025.8.15 burning@yna.co.kr

(Seoul/Incheon=Yonhap News) Reporters Kim Min-ji and Kang Tae-woo = Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong returned to Korea after a 17-day business trip to the United States.

During his trip, Chairman Lee strengthened cooperation with global tech giants such as Tesla and Apple, while also contributing to the South Korea-U.S. trade negotiations that reduced the mutual tariff rate on Korea from 25% to 15%.

Upon his return to Incheon International Airport shortly after midnight on the 15th, Chairman Lee responded to questions about his trip by saying, "I came back after preparing for next year's business." He left the scene without answering further questions about the specific details of his trip or future investment plans.

Chairman Lee departed for Washington from Gimpo Airport on the 29th of last month and had been staying in the U.S. since then.

During this period, he is known to have met with local tech giants and global business leaders to discover new businesses and strengthen his global network.

Samsung Electronics Semiconductor Plant Under Construction in the U.S. [Provided by Samsung Electronics. Resale and redistribution prohibited]

First, there may have been follow-up discussions regarding the foundry supply contract with Tesla worth 23 trillion won, the largest in history, signed the day before his departure, to produce Tesla's next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) chip, AI6, at the Taylor plant in Texas.

There is also speculation that he may have explored directions for technological cooperation between the two companies, including additional contracts after the production of AI6, as well as the advancement of foundry processes and production efficiency.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, stated at the time that the contract amount was "just the minimum, and the actual production volume will be several times more."

He also added, "Samsung has agreed to allow us to help maximize production efficiency," and "I will personally tour the production lines to accelerate the pace of progress." He also mentioned that the Taylor plant was not far from his home.

While Chairman Lee was in the U.S., news also emerged that Apple's next-generation chips would be produced at Samsung Electronics' foundry plant in Austin, Texas. The industry believes these chips are the image sensors (CIS) for the next-generation iPhone.

Given the timing of the contract news, there is speculation that Chairman Lee played a direct role in securing the deal.

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong Attending Presidential Luncheon on June 13 [Presidential Office Communications Photo Journalists]

Furthermore, on the 31st of last month, while Chairman Lee was in the U.S., the South Korea-U.S. trade negotiations were concluded, centering on setting the mutual tariff rate on Korea at 15%. It is reported that Chairman Lee contributed to these negotiations by mobilizing his company's network and emphasizing cooperation in the semiconductor supply chain.

There is also an analysis that cooperation with U.S. tech giants, such as contracts with Tesla and Apple, served as an important leverage in the negotiations.

Chairman Lee is scheduled to visit the U.S. again after nine days, accompanying the economic delegation to the South Korea-U.S. summit scheduled for the 24th to 26th.

Plans for strengthening South Korea-U.S. supply chain cooperation and expanding local investment, which were solidified during this trip to the U.S., are also expected to be revealed at that time.

jakmj@yna.co.kr

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