Analyst: US-made semiconductors will command a premium, Korean memory makers need to accelerate US fab construction

Odaily Planet Daily News Citrini analyst Jukan stated on X platform that in the future, "Made in USA" semiconductor products may gain market premiums due to supply chain stability advantages. Korean memory chip companies need to respond to this trend by building wafer fabs in the US. Currently, US-made optical module products have already begun to reflect premiums. For example, optical communications company AAOI has stated that optical modules produced in the US can command higher prices. Meanwhile, US hyperscalers are also willing to pay additional premiums for US-made Micron DRAM.

Jukan believes that the price advantage of US-made chips does not come solely from the products themselves, but reflects the value of supply chain stability and supply assurance. Against the backdrop of ongoing adjustments in the global semiconductor supply chain, companies and customers are increasingly valuing localized production capacity to reduce geopolitical and supply disruption risks.

Regarding Korean memory manufacturers, Korean companies need to actively advance the construction of US-based production capacity, a trend that has already begun to emerge. For example, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won has previously discussed plans to build a memory chip front-end wafer fab in the US on multiple occasions.

As AI infrastructure construction drives growth in memory demand, and regionalization trends in the global supply chain continue, US-made semiconductors may form a new pricing system. Chip companies with US-based production capacity will gain additional advantages in future market competition.