294: Chapter 294 The Fruit's Objection

By then, the issue of how Transsion Semiconductor's Lithography Machine was smuggled will surely be investigated clearly.

It should be, right?

"Chairman Lee, rest assured! We are currently urgently investigating Transsion Semiconductor's Lithography Machine. If Samsung Semiconductor could contribute some investigation funds, I believe results will be out very soon!"

"Of course," Lee Kun-hee said with a painful heart. After all, just a few sentences in, another huge sum of money was gone. But if he didn't do this, Samsung would not be far from bankruptcy.

"Mr. Secretary, I suggest putting direct pressure on the Netherlands government to have them provide an investigation result within a deadline."

Seeing that the funds were already in hand, the Secretary was unwilling to make any guarantees. The trade advisor had to find a way to change the subject.

"Pressure is difficult, and it's not easy to achieve results. After all, ASML has United States capital among its shareholders, and the Netherlands government doesn't necessarily listen to me."

Seeing the two of them stammering, Lee Kun-hee understood instantly that they still wanted to play the game of taking money without doing the work. But this time he had come in person, so how could that happen! He had to have a concrete answer; otherwise, he wouldn't hand over this money.

"Mr. Secretary, Samsung is an important ally of the United States in the semiconductor field. If we fall, the United States won't have many allies left. By then, China Star's expansion speed will be very fast... Believe in the China speed; by then, the semiconductor industry won't be worth anything!"

Bryson and the trade advisor exchanged glances, both seeing the corresponding concern.

"Chairman Lee, we will consider it. We will persuade the President to further increase the intensity of the sanctions."

"Many thanks!"

After Lee Kun-hee left, the news was quickly leaked to the media!

#Samsung Chairman lobbies United States government to demand stricter restrictions on China's semiconductors#

#New forces join, will the United States bow down?#

Chinese media also saw this news, but they chose to call them out directly. After all, the attitude from above was already very clear, so there was no need to go against the trend.

#Isn't it shameful for Samsung to go complain after losing the fight?#

#Samsung: Transsion is bullying me, Daddy, please help me!#

"Lee Kun-hee went to the White House for rescue in person; Samsung is truly anxious."

"What's the use of being anxious? Their product strength is so poor!"

"They deserve it. Once number one in screens, now they've been surpassed in screens and performance. Besides that so-called legacy, what else do you have?"

"Upstairs, I'm curious what you mean by legacy. Is it the one I'm thinking of! [Dog Head] But it's not worth much either, can't compare to the neighbor."

"That's why they are trash!"

Meanwhile, Transsion took the opportunity to actively start a price war in the South Korea market. Although the Motorola brand had already reached a cooperation agreement with Lenovo, some inventory had not yet been sold.

According to the agreement, Transsion still had a one-month delivery period, so they directly started a clearance sale, with discounts of up to $150.

It was just that the price after the reduction finally aligned with the international market... but this price still led many South Korea consumers to buy. They purchased one after another through online e-commerce and offline distributors.

"The Motorola S3 Pro max price is very good, much better than Samsung's, why not buy it?"

"Although after-sales service is a bit poor, there are still corresponding service providers, absolutely no problem!"

"Used Samsung for so long, it's time to change tastes!"

Some of these posts were posted by Transsion itself, and some were posted by real users, but the effect was very good.

Transsion's market share here went from zero to 3%. Three percentage points, not much. But this was Samsung's home base; having market share snatched away by a competitor on their own turf was something that had never happened since Samsung was founded!

Lee Jae-yong saw the data in the office and felt very angry. He went to his father's office once again; this matter could not just be left like this.

After talking with his son, Lee Kun-hee picked up his phone and called Bryson.

"Mr. Secretary, when can the United States take action against Transsion Semiconductor? Our investigation funds have already been sent."

"We suggest directly announcing an investigation into Transsion Semiconductor's projects and sending an investigation team for an on-site visit. By then, it will be clear at a glance whether it is an ASML Lithography Machine."

But Bryson's answer was destined to disappoint him.

"Chairman Lee, this matter is not as simple as you imagine; Congress is still discussing it. Legislators from agricultural states oppose expanding sanctions, fearing China will retaliate against agricultural products. As for the on-site inspection you mentioned, China will not agree to it. If Samsung Semiconductor were in the same situation, would you let us inspect it?"

"But we can't just do nothing!"

Lee Kun-hee was a bit angry, and his tone inadvertently became much tougher. That was a full 30 million USD in investigation funds. If it were their own, this 30 million could dig up a lot of things, but... but now all this money had turned into protection money. And it was protection money that couldn't be used for anything!

"Mr. Lee, rest assured. Since Samsung has chosen to trust us, this matter will absolutely not end just like that. We will definitely give the company an answer. After all, this issue is truly too serious; we will definitely find the real result."

Meanwhile, Cook also arrived in Washington. He wasn't going to seek aid, but to defend China Star. It could also be called warning the United States government.

"Mr. Secretary, if you continue to expand sanctions against China, Apple will lose the China market. In our internal planning, China is Apple's largest overseas market, and in the future, it will account for 30% or even 40% of revenue, occupying a very important position."

Bryson looked at this detailed plan, his eyes full of skepticism. Such a backward country, yet in Cook's eyes, it could reach annual sales of tens of millions, most of which were high-end models.

"Mr. Cook, you must be joking, right? This data is almost exactly the same as the United States..."

Cook shook his head, then inadvertently raised the report.

"This data is integrated based on industry sales. If it weren't for them, last year's sales in China should have been between 9 million and 10 million."

Bryson nodded; actual sales were only over 4 million units, completely halved, and then he said with a smile: "Then shouldn't Apple Inc. support the sanctions even more?"

"Sanctions cannot solve the problem. Mr. Secretary, you should clearly know that sanctioning a company is based on them being unable to leave the United States supply chain. Transsion's technology is already self-developed; sanctions will only make them stronger, while we will only become clowns!"

Bryson thought for a long time, then looked at Cook and nodded.

"Mr. Cook, your view is very unique! We will consider it."

When Cook walked out of the White House, he sent a message to Shen Fei.

"Mr. Shen, I am speaking up for you in Washington!"