Samsung’s expected 39% Q2 operating profit slide to ₩6.3 trillion is as much a reflection of geopolitical turbulence as technical delays. U.S.-proposed tariffs on smartphones and strict export control regimes have disrupted Samsung’s trade flows, particularly to China.
The company faces a complex environment: its flagship HBM3E chips have yet to gain Nvidia approval, eliminating a lucrative revenue stream. Meanwhile, its flagship smartphone segment remains strong, bolstered by preemptive inventory buildup against looming tariffs.
Tokyo and Washington have also raised the possibility of sanctioning chip-related exports—potentially affecting Samsung’s access to U.S. technologies and its Chinese operations.
The situation exposes Samsung to volatile shifts in global trade dynamics, even as broader technological and consumer strategies—like AI and 5G—promise future resilience.
