• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

The $40 trillion national debt is growing while Social Security goes broke—because wealthy Boomers are collecting over $100k in benefits per year

2

'I'm in favor of taxes,' says Nvidia's Jensen Huang—but he doesn't agree with Bill Gates on his plan to slow an AI fallout

3

Current price of oil as of August 28, 2026

1

The $40 trillion national debt is growing while Social Security goes broke—because wealthy Boomers are collecting over $100k in benefits per year

2

'I'm in favor of taxes,' says Nvidia's Jensen Huang—but he doesn't agree with Bill Gates on his plan to slow an AI fallout

3

Current price of oil as of August 28, 2026
LeadershipOn Leading

Samsung North America CEO Says President Trump’s “Tariffs Equal Taxes”

By
Susie Gharib
Susie Gharib
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Susie Gharib
Susie Gharib
Down Arrow Button Icon
May 14, 2018, 12:33 PM ET
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Things are looking up for Samsung Electronics (SSNLF). Record profits. Surging sales. Computer chips in high demand. And its new Galaxy S9 mobile phone is a hit with consumers.

There’s only one problem. Samsung washing machines are among the many products that have been slapped with hefty tariffs by the Trump Administration. That’s bad news for the South Korean company that just spent nearly $400 million on a new appliance factory in South Carolina and hired more than 650 people to make washing machines.

Tim Baxter, CEO of Samsung’s North American operations tells Fortune, the tariffs are “not a good thing” for consumers.

“Our view has been and continues to be that tariffs equal taxes and they get passed along to consumers,” says Baxter. “So we don’t think that’s a good thing.”

Samsung, which is the most popular washing machine maker in the U.S., has already raised prices by as much as $100 on some models.

Even though there are heightened trade tensions between the U.S. and its trading partners, Baxter says Samsung is still going “full steam ahead” with its expansion plans in South Carolina including adding 1,000 more jobs by 2020.

Baxter adds that Samsung has a 40-year history of doing business in the U.S. and 20,000 employees working for the South Korean company’s American operations. His hope is that a trade war will be averted because the “consequences are significant.” And perhaps that’s why Baxter says Samsung will “continue to invest” in the U.S.

Watch the video above for more of our interview with Baxter.

 

 

 

About the Author
By Susie Gharib
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Leadership


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Latest in Leadership


    Most Popular

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.