Presidential office denies report that US gov't may eye stakes in chipmakers
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung speaks during a press briefing at the presidential office in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
The presidential office on Thursday denied a media report that the U.S. federal government may take equity stakes in chipmakers that received Washington's subsidies to build their plants in America.
Earlier this week, Reuters reported, citing sources, that U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is exploring ways to receive equity stakes in foreign chipmakers, possibly including Samsung Electronics, in exchange for grants under the CHIPS Act.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung dismissed the reports as "groundless," saying that no Korean chipsmakers have yet received the U.S. grants.
"(Korean) companies have confirmed they have not received such contact (from the U.S. government)," Kang told reporters.