To Respond to Trump Administration's Trade Protectionism
Samsung Electronics spent US$3.12 million on lobbying in the United States last year. The company spent the money to respond to the Donald Trump administration’s protectionist trade policies and increase its presence in the local 5G telecom equipment market. 5G is one of the four future growth drivers of Samsung Electronics.
The Center for Responsive Politics, a private U.S. organization tracking political funds, recently announced that Samsung Electronics spent a record high of US$3.5 million for lobbying purposes in the United States in 2017 and the amount for 2018 is its second-highest record.
Samsung Electronics placed ninth among enterprises and associations in the electronics industry, up two notches in one year. The top eight are Microsoft (US$7.18 million), Qualcomm (US$6 million), Oracle (US$5.47 million), Apple (US$5.09 million), IBM (US$3.95 million), Entertainment Software Association (US$3.84 million), Consumer Technology Association (US$3.63 million), and Siemens (US$3.15 million). Samsung was followed by Intel (US$3.07 million), HP (US$3.02 million) and Dell (US$2.78 million).
Samsung Electronics’ lobbying in the United States showed a significant increase in the Donald Trump administration. Specifically, the combined amount for 2017 and 2018 is US$6.62 million whereas that for 2013 to 2016 is US$6.04 million.
Samsung’s lobbying in the United States covered 81 issues last year, including 13 trade and 10 telecommunication issues. The latter rose from seventh to second in one year as the company was seeking opportunities in the 5G telecom equipment market with Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE affected by the U.S.-China trade war. Samsung Electronics accounted for approximately 5 percent of the global communications equipment market until 2017. Its market share rose to 11 percent or so in the second quarter of 2018.