Trump Says US Next Year's Defense Budget Will Be 2,000 Trillion Won; Pressures Allies to Increase Defense Spending; Canada Wants Hyundai Motor Plant for 60 Trillion Won Submarine Deal | 3ProTV Kwon Soon-woo Coverage Team Lead

Summary

Kwon Soon-woo, Coverage Team Lead, reviews morning market news and key Korean equity issues. The main topics are Trump's proposed $1.5T US defense budget and pressure on allies to raise defense spending, Samsung Electronics' strong Q4 earnings and HBM recovery, and Canada's submarine procurement involving Korean shipbuilders. The session also covers Apple's AI lag, a short-term semiconductor pullback, and political debate over Samsung's fab location.

• US equities were mixed, while AI and semiconductor shares pulled back after a strong run.
• Trump proposed a 2027 US defense budget of $1.5T, a roughly 50% increase, and allied defense spending pressure.
• Korea's pledge to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP was framed as positive for Korean defense companies.
• Samsung Electronics reported KRW 20T Q4 operating profit, up 208% YoY, with semiconductors leading and HBM4 progress noted.
• Canada's 60 trillion won submarine project puts Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in a consortium competing with ThyssenKrupp.
• Hanwha is reportedly reviewing additional US shipyard acquisitions to expand Philly Shipyard docks and output.
• Apple was discussed as lagging in AI because of its late-follower strategy.
• Political debate continued over moving Samsung's semiconductor fab to Saemangeum/Jeonbuk, though the government denied forcing relocation.