Samsung spent $3.12M lobbying in U.S. last year

The American subsidiary of Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics spent $3.12 million on lobbying U.S. politicians and officials last year, the second-largest amount following 2017, data from a Washington-based research group showed Monday. Samsung Electronics’ lobbying expense was the ninth largest among electronics companies operating in the United States, moving up two notches from a year earlier, according to the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP).

Microsoft spent the most with $7.18 million, followed by Qualcomm with $6 million, Oracle with $5.47 million and Apple with $5.09 million, said the nonprofit research group, which tracks the effects of money and lobbying on elections and public policy.

Among foreign companies, Samsung Electronics was the second-biggest lobbying spender after German engineering group Siemens.

The Korean tech conglomerate has been intensifying its lobbying efforts in its key market since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in 2017 and advocated more protectionist trade policies.

Samsung’s lobbying expenses over the past two years amounted to $6.62 million, far surpassing $6.04 million spent during former President Barack Obama’s second term from 2013-16, data showed.

Trade-related issues were Samsung’s main lobbying target in the United States last year, with 13 cases out of 81 total in this area.

The company also made extensive lobbying efforts for the telecommunication sector as it has been exploring ways to expand its foothold in the 5G network equipment market.

Last month, Samsung and American telecommunication company Verizon announced their plan to launch 5G-compatible smartphones in the U.S. market in the first half of 2019.