Samsung Doubles Down On US Lobbying Efforts Amid Trade Issues

Samsung Electronics has been spending more on its lobbying efforts in the United States ever since Trump took office in 2017. The move is seen as the tech giant’s way to ensure that its plans for the U.S. market will be smoothly realized.

Nonprofit, nonpartisan group called the Center for Responsive Politics disclosed that according to its collected data, Samsung spent $2.21 million in the first half of this year in order for it to get its message across to American legislators. This is up by 50 percent compared to the $1.47 million it spent in the same period in the previous year, according to The Investor.

The group expects Samsung to spend more during the second half, with the total money spending possibly exceeding the record high $3.41 million for 2017. It’s important to note that in the years prior to 2012, Samsung only spent less than $1 million on average yearly.

As part of its lobbying efforts, Samsung is also relocating its Washington, D.C. office beside Capitol Hill, so it would be easier for it to communicate with U.S. lawmakers. A trade industry insider disclosed that by the end of the year Samsung is opening a 2,650-square-meter office building that’s just about a five-minute walk from the Capitol building.

“The location will allow Samsung to respond more swiftly to developments taking place in Washington that can affect its business situation in the world’s largest economy,” the insider said on condition of anonymity.

“In the past, Samsung usually concentrated its lobbying efforts on intellectual property rights, but starting last year after Trump took office, it has focused on general trade issues,” the insider added.

Aside from focusing its lobbying efforts in making contact with lawmakers in the House of Representatives and the Senate, Samsung is also eager to engage in talks with the White House, the commerce department and the United States Trade Representative.

The news comes days after it was revealed that Samsung is still the largest phone vendor in the world despite the sluggish sales of the Galaxy S9 series. The tech giant shipped 71.5 million units of phones in the second quarter, accounting for 21 percent of the global market.

Meanwhile, Samsung’s main rival Apple was dethroned by Chinese company Huawei in terms of global shipments. Apple shipped 41.3 million iPhones. On the other hand, Huawei managed to ship 54.2 million units of phones in the April-June period of 2018. This means Huawei is currently the second largest smartphone vendor in the world.