Samsung Electronics North America CEO joins White House meeting, committing to help resolve supply chain issues

By Tim Sheppard, Vice President, Logistics

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many challenges to the economy and our industry, among them the disruption of global supply chains. Today, we were honored to have Samsung Electronics North America President and Chief Executive Officer KS Choi meet with Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and National Economic Council Director Brian Deese, along with CEOs of other major companies and other officials to discuss solutions to supply chain issues, and we appreciate the President’s leadership on this issue.

During the meeting, Samsung, with cooperation from its supply chain partners, committed to move an additional 5,000 containers (an increase of nearly 60%) out of the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports over the next 90 days.  To accomplish this we will work with our trucking providers and take advantage of the ports’ increase to 24/7 operation. 

Samsung has a strong manufacturing presence in the United States with operations that span more than 40 years. While we have a strong U.S. manufacturing presence, making semiconductors in Texas and washing machines in South Carolina, we understand that resolving port congestion is urgent to ensure U.S. consumers have the home appliances and consumer electronics they want and need.

Seventy-two percent of U.S. homes have one or more Samsung products, and the U.S. is one of Samsung’s largest and most important consumer markets. Therefore, we are committed to being part of this important supply chain solution and we will continue to work in partnership with the Administration and our business partners on these critical issues.  Through this collective partnership, we are confident we will overcome the supply chain challenge.