In the middle of the trading conflict between the US and China, Apple is setting an example: According to a media report, the US Tech group intends to relocate the production of its professional Computer series from Texas to Shanghai.
It is only a niche product, but the only major Apple device that has been manufactured in the United States alone: the “Mac Pro”, a $ 6000 expensive Desktop Computer for the business customer market. The latest model in the series, the group’s CEO Tim Cook at the beginning of June, presented at the Apple developers conference in San Jose, is scheduled to arrive in the autumn on the market. So far, the “Mac Pros” in the US were manufactured in the state of Texas.
However, as the Wall Street Journal reports, Apple wants to move production to China. Accordingly, the company intends to instruct the manufacturer “Quanta Computer” from Taiwan, to produce the new devices in its factory near the Chinese metropolis of Shanghai. So the US economy sheet it reports citing persons familiar with the issue.
Apple Trump Upset?
The Mac Pro Computer does not belong to the best-sellers in the California group. The step is likely to anger U.S. President Donald Trump, the pressure on US companies – and in particular, Apple carries on to produce more in the United States.
Apple-Chef Cook at Mac-Pro-presentation at the beginning of June: niche product, not a Bestseller
Just over a week ago the media had reported that Apple was preparing to lay at least the production of iPhone models that are currently manufactured almost exclusively in China, for the US market, in countries such as Vietnam. In addition, technology companies such as Apple and Microsoft want to protect their China-made products, according to CNN ahead of a new round of planned U.S. customs duties. The companies have requested in writing with the government of President Trump to make an exception.
Apple wants to exceptions
The White house is considering, therefore, to charge a duty of 25 per cent on goods from China, which were exempted from the so far in the trade dispute between the two countries have imposed punitive tariffs. Apple in his Writing, therefore, is a list of nearly 20 products, for which the group intends to achieve an exception of the planned customs. The iPhone, the MacBook and “Apple TV”. At the same time, Apple have been reminded of the importance of the company, which is the largest payer of corporate tax in the United States and behind more than two million Jobs across the country stand.
On a request from the AFP to the alleged Mac-Pro-relocation to Shanghai, there was no response from Apple.
AR/kle (afp, dpa)