Micron Hikes Memory Prices, Samsung and SK Hynix Hold Off

U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced a global reciprocal tariff policy, which was quickly followed by a 90-day suspension of tariffs for all countries except China. However, Micron Technology, a leading memory manufacturer, has already moved to increase prices on DRAM modules and solid-state drives (SSDs) in response to the changing trade landscape.

According to industry insiders, Micron has informed its U.S.-based clients that, starting April 9, additional fees will be applied to select memory modules and SSD products. It remains unclear whether this pricing adjustment will be reversed in light of the temporary tariff suspension.

Reports indicate that key memory semiconductor products such as DRAM and NAND flash are likely to be impacted by reciprocal tariffs. Micron's DRAM modules and SSDs—primarily manufactured at its facilities in Mainland China, Taiwan, India, and Singapore—face significant margin pressure if prices remain unchanged under the new tariff conditions.

Other major memory chipmakers are also expected to feel the effects of this policy shift. Samsung Electronics operates semiconductor facilities in Cheonan and Onyang, South Korea, as well as Suzhou, China. Similarly, SK Hynix runs packaging plants in Icheon, South Korea, and Chongqing, China. According to research firm TrendForce, the implementation of reciprocal tariffs could dampen demand across end-product markets, potentially driving up prices and weakening consumer confidence.

Although the AI-driven demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) remains strong, the uncertainty surrounding global tariffs and concerns over a slowing world economy present ongoing risks. For now, both Samsung and SK Hynix are closely monitoring the U.S. government's stance on semiconductor-related tariffs before making strategic adjustments.