(2nd LD) Trump says 'Thank you, Samsung' for considering building factory in U.S.

(ATTN: UPDATES with Samsung statement)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump praised Samsung Electronics on Thursday for considering building a home appliances factory in the U.S.

"Thank you, @Samsung! We would love to have you!" Trump said in a Twitter message.

Samsung said last month it will consider building a new plant for home appliances in the U.S., as Trump stepped up calls for companies to build factories in the country, with a threat to impose hefty border tax when bringing in goods manufactured outside the U.S.

Earlier Thursday, a Reuters report cited an unidentified person familiar with the matter saying that Samsung may build a U.S. plant for its home appliances business, though details, such as how big the investment would be and where it will be based, have yet to be determined.

"The U.S. is an important market for Samsung Electronics and we have been making significant investments, including Austin, Texas, where we have invested $17 billion to date in our semiconductor manufacturing facility. We continue to evaluate new investment needs in the U.S. that can help us best serve our customers," Samsung said in a statement after Trump's tweet.

Other South Korean firms have also committed investments or are considering it.

Hyundai Motor said last month it will invest US$3.1 billion in the U.S. over the next five years. LG Electronics also said last month it is considering building a factory in the U.S. and will make a final decision in the first half of the year.

jschang@yna.co.kr
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