Samsung Semiconductor’s China unit issued a rare statement on Wednesday rejecting recent reports that its chip foundry had suspended partnerships with Chinese clients, signalling the South Korean company’s commitment to maintaining business in the world’s second-largest economy amid an upheaval in the global chip supply chain triggered by the US.
In a Chinese statement released by Samsung Semiconductor on its WeChat account, the company said its foundry business, which produces chips for external customers, was working with Chinese clients “as normal”, countering claims that it had halted cooperation with chip developers in the country.
The statement did not name any clients nor provide details about their partnerships. But it comes amid increasing scrutiny from analysts and investors regarding whether Samsung would comply with US requests to tighten chip technology curbs against China.
TSMC reportedly suspended services to restricted Chinese clients late last year, raising speculation about whether Samsung would follow suit. Samsung previously did not comment on the issue.
