In 2023, China became the largest importer of Samsung chips, surpassing the United States. Sammobile reports this with reference to The Korea Post.
According to Samsung's report, chip exports to China rose 53.9% year-on-year to 64.93 trillion won (about $44.6 billion). In comparison, exports to the United States were $42.1 billion. The main products Samsung supplies to China are NAND flash memory, LPDDR memory, image sensors and display drivers.
The growth in demand for chips in China is due to aggressive economic stimulus policies that encourage the upgrading of old devices with new models. The Chinese government has invested more than $20 billion in the development of the smartphone and home appliance market, which has positively affected Samsung's sales.
But U.S. sanctions on the export of advanced chips to China are limiting Samsung's ability to sell its most profitable products, creating challenges for the company as it struggles to balance the two economic giants in a trade war.