Workers assemble the IONIQ 5 at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia, ahead of its official completion ceremony on March 26 (local time). (Image provided by Hyundai Motor)
SEOUL, March 26 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s largest conglomerates are rapidly expanding their investments in the United States, positioning themselves to navigate trade pressures and align with policy shifts under President Donald Trump’s second term.
Leading this push is Hyundai Motor Group, which on March 24 (local time) announced a sweeping $21 billion investment plan during a White House event hosted by President Trump.
The plan includes expanding Hyundai’s U.S. automotive production, constructing a new electric furnace for automotive steel through Hyundai Steel, and advancing cooperation on small modular reactor (SMR) energy technologies.
“It’s a tremendous honor to partner with a great company like Hyundai,” President Trump said at the event, signaling strong backing for the group’s commitment. Hyundai’s move has triggered expectations that other major Korean companies will announce additional U.S. investments in the coming months.
The semiconductor sector is particularly active. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have already committed to large-scale U.S. projects. Samsung is investing more than $37 billion in its foundry in Taylor, Texas, set to begin operations in 2026. SK Hynix is building a semiconductor packaging plant in West Lafayette, Indiana, aiming to begin mass production in 2028.
A view of Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor plant under construction in Taylor, Texas. (Image provided by Samsung Electronics)
While both companies are proceeding with existing plans, they are closely monitoring the Trump administration’s trade policies and tariff dynamics, adjusting their scenarios accordingly.
Given the high costs and regulatory complexities of establishing new facilities, companies are reportedly considering accelerating plant operation timelines rather than immediately committing to new construction.
POSCO is also weighing U.S. investment to counter growing tariff barriers on imported steel. The company is exploring upstream operations — facilities that melt iron ore into semi-finished products — to build a local supply chain and secure stable steel deliveries to Hyundai’s U.S. factories and other key clients.
Hanwha Aerospace recently announced a 3.6 trillion won capital increase, with 800 billion won allocated for overseas shipbuilding investments targeting the U.S. market. The company views President Trump’s agenda to rebuild America’s shipbuilding industry as an opportunity.
Hanwha is considering additional investment in the Philadelphia Shipyard, acquired last year via Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Systems, and is also actively reviewing further acquisitions like Austal, a shipbuilder with a dominant presence in the U.S. small combat vessel market.
This photo provided by Hanwha Group shows a panoramic view of Philly Shipyard Inc. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
Meanwhile, Korean Air has signed agreements with Boeing and GE Aerospace to modernize its fleet and secure long-term engine maintenance partnerships. The airline plans to introduce 40 new aircraft — 20 Boeing 777-9s and 20 Boeing 787-10s — by 2033, with options for an additional 10 aircraft.
It has also finalized a $7.8 billion agreement with GE Aerospace for spare engines and maintenance services for GE9X engines used in the Boeing 777-9.
Under Trump’s renewed “America First” trade policies, South Korean conglomerates appear intent on strengthening their foothold in the U.S. market, both to avoid tariff risks and to secure their competitive position well into 2026 and beyond.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
