Nvidia's Strategic Global Engagement and AI Leadership

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, NVIDIA's CEO Jensen Huang has emerged as a pivotal figure, leveraging high-profile engagements to cement the company's dominance. His participation in the APEC 2025 CEO Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, underscores a calculated strategy to align with global industrial partners and navigate geopolitical and supply chain challenges. As the summit focuses on "AI for Economic Development," Huang's presence signals NVIDIA's intent to lead the next phase of AI innovation while fortifying its position in critical markets, as reported in a Pulse report.

Strengthening Ties with South Korean Semiconductor Giants

NVIDIA's collaboration with South Korean firms like SK hynix and Samsung Electronics is central to its AI ambitions. SK hynix, a key supplier of high-bandwidth memory (HBM), accounted for 27% of the company's first-half 2025 revenue, driven by demand for HBM3E memory used in NVIDIA's H20 and Blackwell GPUs, according to a TrendForce report. With a 52.3% global market share in HBM in 2025, SK hynix is also developing next-generation solutions like Socamm, which NVIDIA is poised to integrate into future AI accelerators and PCs, as reported by Korea JoongAng Daily. Meanwhile, Samsung's potential deepening of AI ties with NVIDIA-likely formalized during the APEC summit-could accelerate joint R&D in advanced chip manufacturing and AI-specific architectures, according to a SammyFans report.

These partnerships are not merely commercial but strategic. South Korea's semiconductor industry, which produces 60% of global NAND and DRAM, is projected to grow at a 7.9% CAGR through 2034, fueled by a $470 billion government initiative to establish a semiconductor mega cluster, according to an Expert Market Research report. By aligning with SK hynix and Samsung, NVIDIA secures access to cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities and mitigates risks from U.S. export controls, which have limited H20 chip shipments to China but left South Korean partners less exposed, as noted by the Korea Times.

Navigating Geopolitical and Supply Chain Challenges

Huang's APEC appearance also reflects NVIDIA's proactive approach to global supply chain dynamics. The U.S.-South Korea semiconductor alliance, bolstered by visits to SK hynix and Samsung facilities post-summit, aims to create redundancies and reduce reliance on China for critical components, according to a TechOvedas piece. This aligns with broader U.S. efforts to counter China's influence in AI, as highlighted by recent export regulations. While these rules have curtailed direct sales of advanced GPUs to China, they have inadvertently spurred demand for NVIDIA's products in other regions, with SK hynix's HBM3E production now prioritized for markets outside China, as noted in an MK article.

Long-Term AI-Driven Growth Trajectory

NVIDIA's AI leadership is further reinforced by its ecosystem-building. The Blackwell GPU, set to debut in 2025, represents a generational leap in performance, with SK hynix's next-gen memory playing a critical role. Analysts project that Blackwell could drive another wave of demand for HBM, ensuring SK hynix's dominance in the sector, according to a Secsense analysis. Meanwhile, South Korea's push for 100% semiconductor production efficiency by 2027, as reported by Expert Market Research, positions NVIDIA to benefit from a partner ecosystem that is both technologically advanced and geopolitically aligned.

Conclusion

Jensen Huang's high-profile engagements, such as the APEC CEO Summit, are more than symbolic. They reflect a strategic calculus to position NVIDIA at the nexus of AI innovation, global supply chains, and geopolitical alliances. By deepening ties with South Korean partners and navigating regulatory headwinds, NVIDIA is not only securing its near-term growth but also laying the groundwork for sustained dominance in an AI-first world. For investors, the alignment of technological leadership, strategic partnerships, and geopolitical tailwinds paints a compelling case for NVIDIA's long-term resilience.