Uber Ordered to Pay $8.5 Million in Bellwether Sexual Assault Lawsuit 
FDA Targets Hims & Hers Over $49 Weight-Loss Pill, Raising Legal and Safety Concerns 
Weight-Loss Drug Ads Take Over the Super Bowl as Pharma Embraces Direct-to-Consumer Marketing 
Washington Post Publisher Will Lewis Steps Down After Layoffs 
Amazon Stock Rebounds After Earnings as $200B Capex Plan Sparks AI Spending Debate 
Nvidia, ByteDance, and the U.S.-China AI Chip Standoff Over H200 Exports 
OpenAI Expands Enterprise AI Strategy With Major Hiring Push Ahead of New Business Offering 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
Baidu Approves $5 Billion Share Buyback and Plans First-Ever Dividend in 2026 
SpaceX Prioritizes Moon Mission Before Mars as Starship Development Accelerates 
TrumpRx Website Launches to Offer Discounted Prescription Drugs for Cash-Paying Americans 
Alphabet’s Massive AI Spending Surge Signals Confidence in Google’s Growth Engine 
TSMC Eyes 3nm Chip Production in Japan with $17 Billion Kumamoto Investment 
SoftBank Shares Slide After Arm Earnings Miss Fuels Tech Stock Sell-Off 
Prudential Financial Reports Higher Q4 Profit on Strong Underwriting and Investment Gains 
Nasdaq Proposes Fast-Track Rule to Accelerate Index Inclusion for Major New Listings 
Sony Q3 Profit Jumps on Gaming and Image Sensors, Full-Year Outlook Raised 
Samsung SDI is reportedly in advanced talks with Tesla to supply energy storage batteries in a deal potentially exceeding 3 trillion won ($2.11 billion), according to South Korean media. The news sparked a surge in Samsung SDI’s stock, which jumped over 8% in early trading.
If finalized, the agreement would mark another significant step by Tesla to diversify its supply chain and reduce reliance on Chinese manufacturers amid ongoing tariffs and geopolitical tensions. In recent months, Tesla has strengthened its ties with South Korean technology giants, securing chip and battery supply deals with Samsung Electronics and LG Energy Solution.
Energy storage batteries—closely related in chemistry to electric vehicle (EV) batteries—are increasingly used to power large facilities such as data centers. South Korean battery producers, including Samsung SDI, have been repurposing their EV battery production lines to meet growing demand for energy storage systems (ESS), especially after the loss of U.S. EV subsidies.
During its October earnings call, Samsung SDI revealed a sharp decline in automotive battery demand from Stellantis, its joint venture partner, prompting a shift in its Indiana-based production lines toward ESS manufacturing. Sources close to the matter told Reuters that Tesla and Samsung SDI are discussing an annual supply volume of about 10 GWh over three years.
While details remain unconfirmed, The Korea Economic Daily reported that the three-year contract could exceed 3 trillion won in value. Tesla has previously acknowledged that its energy storage division faces challenges from rising tariffs and intensified competition, with current supply chains primarily based in China.
As discussions continue, the potential Tesla–Samsung SDI partnership underscores a broader industry trend: Western automakers increasingly turning to South Korea for high-quality, reliable battery solutions to support global clean energy and electrification goals.
