SK hynix is reportedly in discussions with Intel about manufacturing memory chips in the United States, with options that include leasing Intel's Ohio plant or forming a joint venture with other AI hyperscalers. The talks, first reported by Tom's Hardware, could help ease the ongoing memory shortage. Neither company has confirmed the discussions.
Such a move would complement SK hynix's expansion in Indiana, where the company recently broke ground on an HBM packaging plant. The groundbreaking came a few weeks after its $26.5 billion Nasdaq listing. It is not yet clear whether the talks are connected to the South Korean president's visit to Silicon Valley, which was aimed at speeding up negotiations between the country's top tech companies and their U.S. counterparts.
SK Group chairperson Chey Tae-won told reporters in July that he believed a U.S. factory was necessary. He said the company should build one in the United States if possible. His comments preceded the reported discussions with Intel.
There are concerns that Seoul might oppose such an investment. The South Korean government has just unveiled a $520 billion plan to expand chipmaking capacity at home and keep the country competitive in the AI race. At the same time, South Korea is in talks with the U.S. to finalize a $350 billion investment commitment to Washington aimed at reducing tariffs on South Korean goods, with $200 billion of that still unallocated to specific projects.
The Commerce Department has threatened additional tariffs on South Korean and Taiwanese tech companies if they do not invest in U.S. manufacturing. That stance could put SK hynix in a difficult position as it weighs demands from both the White House and the Blue House.
SK hynix told Reuters it is reviewing various measures, including establishing additional production bases, to strengthen the competitiveness of its memory business, but said no matters have been determined at this stage. Intel called the reports speculation and declined to comment, saying only that it continues to invest in the Ohio project, which is expected to come online between 2030 and 2031.
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