Samsung Reportedly Weighs Intel Investment Amid U.S. Chip Push

Samsung may be eyeing a bold move into Intel, with reports from Korea suggesting the company is considering an equity investment in the struggling American chipmaker.

The timing aligns with the Trump administration’s pressure to boost domestic semiconductor production, positioning Intel as the symbolic champion of America’s chip ambitions – even if its recent performance has rattled investors.

Intel’s stock has been on a rollercoaster. It briefly surged after SoftBank announced a $2 billion lifeline, but quickly stumbled again amid concerns about equity dilution and ballooning production costs. Investors remain skeptical: while a foundry spinoff fueled speculation earlier in the year, fears of sluggish demand and billion-dollar write-offs have kept sentiment uneasy. Shares recently dropped 7% in a single day as talk of the government converting CHIPS Act grants into equity spooked markets.

For Samsung, taking a stake in Intel would be more than a financial bet. It could serve as a political gesture to curry favor with Washington, while also cementing a closer partnership with Intel at a time when supply chains and alliances matter more than ever. Industry insiders say Samsung has been reviewing this plan for some time, weighing both its symbolic legitimacy and practical strategic value.

But Intel isn’t Samsung’s only potential partner. The Korean giant is also evaluating collaboration with Amkor, an American firm specializing in advanced chip packaging. In the AI era, packaging is critical for chips to endure extreme workloads, and Samsung currently trails rivals like TSMC in this area. Teaming up with Amkor could close that gap quickly.

Samsung isn’t without wins of its own: its $16.5 billion deal to build Tesla’s next-gen AI chips in Texas was a major coup, underscoring its global manufacturing clout. Yet the company knows that strategic alliances in the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem could shape its standing for years to come.

Whether Samsung truly invests in Intel remains to be seen. For now, the possibility highlights how geopolitics, industry rivalry, and corporate survival are colliding in the high-stakes world of chips.