Samsung Electronics Co. spent $3.12 million on lobbying the U.S. government last year, its second-largest spending in Washington with efforts largely focused on exploiting new business opportunities amid U.S. trade tensions with China.

The Korean tech giant has spent more money on lobbying since President Donald Trump took office in 2017 than it has ever before in the United States. Last year’s spending was second only to 2017 when the company shelled out a record $3.5 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a Washington-based research group that tracks money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy.

Samsung Electronics’ lobbying during the two years of the Trump administration totaled $6.62 million, surpassing its four-year spending of $6.04 million during the second term of President Obama.

Samsung Electronics was the ninth-biggest lobbying spender in the electronics sector, up two notches from the previous year. Microsoft topped the list with $7.18 million, followed by Qualcomm with $6.00 million, Oracle $5.47 million, Apple $5.09 million and IBM $3.95 million. The Entertainment Software Association ranked sixth at $3.84 million, trailed by the Consumer Technology Association at $3.63 million and Siemens at $3.15 million.

Samsung Electronics’ lobbying efforts last year were concentrated on trade-related issues, accounting for 13 out of a total of 81 cases.

Telecommunication was another major agenda, representing 10 of all cases. Its importance jumped to second from seventh the previous year.

This push in telecommunication comes at a time when Chinese telecom giants Huawei and ZTE are facing setbacks in the U.S. and elsewhere over national security concerns. In the U.S., where the use of Chinese-manufactured equipment in 5G networks has already been banned, Samsung Electronics has clinched deals for 5G equipment with three of the four major carriers in the country.

By Kim Gyu-sik and Kim Hyo-jin

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