Why It Matters

Ballard Partners registered to lobby for SK Americas on semiconductor policy, adding another Washington lobbying firm to the U.S. arm of the South Korean conglomerate as Congress and the Trump administration reshape policies affecting semiconductors, batteries, trade and advanced manufacturing.

The Ballard Partners registration, filed Aug. 21, identifies trade and science and technology as the general lobbying areas and specifies "Semiconductor-related policies and developments" as the current and anticipated lobbying issues. The registration does not report lobbying income, which is generally reported on subsequent quarterly activity reports rather than an initial registration.

Brian Ballard, president of Ballard Partners, and Justin Sayfie, a partner at the firm, are registered as lobbyists on the SK Americas account. The filing identifies Sayfie's prior covered government position as commissioner on the Commission on White House Fellows.

Ballard Partners registered SK Americas on the same day it brought on Unity Wellness LLC as a client. Federal lobbying records confirm both registrations were posted Aug. 21.

By The Numbers

SK Group has major battery and semiconductor investments in the U.S. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law July 4, 2025, eliminated the federal EV consumer tax credit of up to $7,500 for new vehicles and $4,000 for used vehicles for vehicles acquired after Sept. 30, 2025.

The law also changed the Section 45X advanced manufacturing production credit. Credits for most critical minerals begin phasing down in 2031, falling to 75% of the otherwise available credit in 2031, 50% in 2032 and 25% in 2033 before ending after that year. The law also imposed new restrictions involving prohibited foreign entities.

Battery-component credits were already scheduled under the Inflation Reduction Act to begin phasing down in 2030 and end after 2032, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act generally retained that schedule. SK On's joint venture with Ford previously produced batteries used in the all-electric F-150 Lightning before Ford ended production of the current-generation model.

Earlier infrastructure investments remain relevant. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, enacted in November 2021, provided $7.5 billion for EV charging infrastructure and billions more for battery materials processing, manufacturing and recycling programs.

Broader Context

Congressional activity on semiconductor, battery and critical-material policy continues. The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment held an April 22 hearing titled "Help or Hindrance? The Impact of U.S. Environmental Laws on Critical Material Supply Chains, National Security, and Economic Growth." The Congressional Record confirms the hearing title and date.

SK Americas' lobbying activity extends beyond the new Ballard account. The company's federal lobbying disclosures have addressed policies affecting semiconductors and trade, while its broader policy interests include energy and EV batteries. The new Ballard registration specifically focuses on semiconductor-related policies and developments.

The Bottom Line

SK Americas engages multiple outside lobbying firms. Squire Patton Boggs registered to lobby on behalf of SK Americas Inc. in 2024, identifying the company's business as semiconductors, energy and life sciences. Capitol Resources LLC has also registered to represent SK Americas on issues including energy, automotive policy and science and technology.

Chartwell Strategy Group LLC has represented SK Americas since 2024 and reported $60,000 in lobbying income from the company in both the first and second quarters of this year. Its disclosed work has focused on trade and science and technology issues. Invariant LLC has also registered to represent SK Americas.

The addition of Ballard Partners expands SK Americas' lobbying roster as federal policy affecting semiconductors, trade, batteries and advanced manufacturing continues to shift.

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