Democratic control of both chambers of the U.S. Congress could tighten oversight of subsidies, tax credits and research funding for Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, while data-center construction regulations may affect the delivery timing of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) volumes secured by the companies. Possible restrictions and higher costs for artificial-intelligence data centers could weigh on South Korea’s chip exports and 2027 growth outlook. Samsung’s Taylor, Texas, foundry is eligible for up to $4.745 billion in federal subsidies and $250 million from Texas under the U.S. CHIPS Act, while SK hynix’s Indiana fab is eligible for up to $458 million. KOTRA, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, said compliance reviews could delay disbursements. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, known as SOX, fell 12.2% in its biggest one-day decline in six years and seven months, while South Korean stocks fell sharply over three sessions. However, industry officials do not expect an immediate collapse in AI chip demand because containing China’s AI advances remains a bipartisan U.S. priority. Higher infrastructure costs, permitting requirements and charges for electricity and water could instead slow lower-margin data-center projects. Semiconductors accounted for 49% of South Korea’s exports in October, and the Bank of Korea estimates they will contribute about half of economic growth this year.