Trump Administration Reignites Criticism of Apple's China Dependence

[djplong]

Ignorance on display. Sure, a lot of people know how ridiculous those statements are. But the people that matter to them, their devotees, their acolytes, disciples and apostles do NOT know how ignorant the statement is and just parrot the line with a "Yay! America First!" cheer at the end.

 

[Mr. Jenkins]

That seems simple from a cost perspective. I think it's more the case that Apple simply depends too much on its global parts supply and procurement chain to make any sweeping changes. It's not a matter of whether they want to, it's whether it's actually feasible. Even if they moved their product assembly to the U.S., they would still need to source parts from everywhere else. The global interdependence of today's tech manufacturers on an incredibly diverse supply chain is something that most people don't seem to quite understand.

I don't disagree with any of that. My point is limited to the policy goal, not taking into account whether I think it's feasible. If a policy goal is getting Apple to manufacture in the USA, do something to make it more enticing. If the government wants Apple to do a thing, try to make it easier to accomplish the thing rather than making life hell trying to force them into submission. That's all I'm saying.

 

[jon9091]

Ah yes…time for Trump’s monthly stock manipulation. Raise tariffs on a bunch of countries, attack US corporations just because.
Buy on the dip…rinse…repeat.

 

[jchap]

I don't disagree with any of that. My point is limited to the policy goal, not taking into account whether I think it's feasible. If a policy goal is getting Apple to manufacture in the USA, do something to make it more enticing. If the government wants Apple to do a thing, try to make it easier to accomplish the thing rather than making life hell trying to force them into submission. That's all I'm saying.

The carrot vs. the stick—yes, I see your point.

Unfortunately, the current Trump administration seems to be more focused on things like exacting heavy tariffs and trying to "balance" what they view as an imbalanced trade situation with the rest of the world, rather than adding incentives for what the government views as desirable behavior.

 

[Mr. Jenkins]

The carrot vs. the stick—yes, I see your point.

Unfortunately, the current Trump administration seems to be more focused on things like exacting heavy tariffs and trying to "balance" what they view as an imbalanced trade situation with the rest of the world, rather than adding incentives for what the government views as desirable behavior.

Yes, exactly. Trump is all stick and no carrot.

 

[Pezimak]

Deservedly so. Good video here of how Apple has funded China's rise to dominate the West.

Apple chasing profits and massive growth has been pretty dishonest with investing 50 billion US annually into the Chinese state.

Video also explains why they can't move out of China to the US and why one way or another Apple is finished. It relies so much on China, if China invades Taiwan for instance Apple will lose China. End of Apple.

 

[attila]

Business Basics is just clickbait.

 

[wanha]

But Apple did tho.
They make iPhones in Brazil and India now.

Apple is like one of the only ones that actually did move manufacturing, is assembling some computers in the states, just the mac pro?

Why won't trump, I dunno, pick on all the other companies, Apple at least did some movement vs none.

imo the likeliest reason is that Cook has tried explaining this to Trump over and over again but Trump just isn't interested (i.e. doesn't have the concentration ability or mental cognition to listen and understand).

Instead, Trump keeps going after Apple because it's the shiniest company and that's what simpletons like him do.

 

[wanha]

Deservedly so. Good video here of how Apple has funded China's rise to dominate the West.

Apple chasing profits and massive growth has been pretty dishonest with investing 50 billion US annually into the Chinese state.

Video also explains why they can't move out of China to the US and why one way or another Apple is finished. It relies so much on China, if China invades Taiwan for instance Apple will lose China. End of Apple.

If Apple is finished, I'd be curious to hear which Western tech companies are better positioned than Apple in this regard?

 

[Pezimak]

If you want Apple to move production, specifically, to the USA rather than just out of China, give them billions of dollars. Why would they move after investing billions of dollars in their supply chains? Talk about money going down the drain. If you want the possibility of Apple moving to the USA to even come close to ever happening, give them land and money, enough to replace every single thing they would give up in China. Give them 80%, 90%, or 100% replacement value.

If the government is going to put pressure on me to spend money I wouldn’t otherwise spend, the least they can do is make that burden easier on me rather than punishing me with more taxes for not doing it.

Or you could ask Apple to stop giving the Chinese government 50 billion dollars US every year.. just a thought.

I guess those disagreeing are investors in Apple stock?

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

I am sure Cook can find some more money to bribe the leader of the world's latest fascist uprising, to make this go away.

 

[kiranmk2]

where does it say that Trump demanded Apple production in US? This was about production elsewhere in the world, not US. For that I agreed with him.

Trump Disapproves of Apple Shifting Its Production to India

Trump criticizes Apple’s production move to India, tells Tim Cook to focus on U.S. manufacturing. Apple faces political pressure as it ramps up iPhone output in India.

www.macobserver.com

Trump criticises Apple for moving iPhone manufacture from China to India

 

[Glideslope]

Navarro is a delusional hack.

 

[moodler]

What’s the issue here? Apple should just put their prices up in the US accordingly and tell everyone the truth: it’s because of Trump’s tariffs. Problem solved.

And not even a huge risk: plenty of Apple’s revenue comes from other saner countries.

 

[Crowbot]

Interesting conflict here.. the trump phone, made in chiiiiina, tariffs?

The base model of Trump's phone can be had on Amazon for $150 but costs $450 from Trump. So they can afford the tariff.

 

[mikebenton]

I'm not sure what all the facts are, but this video was a good watch...

 

[Taipan]

As sad as this whole issue is, Tim‘s facial expression in this photo always makes me smile.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I just don't care where the iPhone is made. I don't care where the MacBook is made. We live in a world economy and it should be treated as such. I'll become patriotic again when policies start favoring the citizens, directly. Not businesses, not the overly wealthy, not trickle-down..The individuals, directly, on a day-to-day basis.

Sorry Trump. I just don't care. What I do care about is getting an email from my company (I work for a not-profit hospital) saying how Medicaid reimbursement will be below operating/providing cost in my state. So even if do manage to keep it, plenty of places won't accept it because it they will lose with every visit.

Trade imbalances are the least of my concerns.

 

[krull1015]

That’s exactly correct. I think the best way is to just ban all companies from doing tech business in China. If want to make rubber dog crap, make that in China. India and Brazil require products made locally. Indonesia is doing the same thing. Tariffs are all over the world. Americans just don’t realize it. And, the greed has allowed China to build its entire economy and an amazing infrastructure with the money from Apple. And there are other companies doing tech in China just ban that completely. But don’t do it like the tariffs. State okay, we will make a law that no technology can be made in China or any dictator nations. You have four years to move manufacturing to the free world. You have eight years to move all US sold products to the United States or make the tariffs so high that it’s impossible not to make them in America. With AI, so many jobs are going away, and this would be the opportunity to bring back American industry. Not clothes or rubber containers but tech should never be made in China and so that’s what the US should focus on. Just like they block Huawei, block all from doing business with any tech hardware, software or AI in China.

I love China. It’s a beautiful country, but this system of building it out off slave labor so the top 1% of shareholders can get wealthy is no good. And the money going to build a military capable of overthrowing any other country is the same.

Yep, the GREED of the American people… love our Apple iPhones made in China essentially using slave labor by a trillion dollar company who pretends to be the “good guys ” of tech. If you buy Apple products made in China then you’re supporting their business model. The realities of living in a profit driven capitalistic system where profits trump people.

 

[ForkHandles]

You have four years to move manufacturing to the free world. You have eight years to move all US sold products to the United States or make the tariffs so high that it’s impossible not to make them in America.

When you put tariffs on a product it is paid for by the consumer not the producer!

The tariffs increase prices for US citizens. Americans are the most prolific consumers in the world spending $60,000 per capita a year.

When you reduce their spending capacity they will change their voting habits. You’ll see this in the mid terms (if you have them). Then this idiotic approach to trade will cease.

A good article to explain exactly why USA tariffs are so ineffectual for the country.

Trump’s Trade Threats: Why Isn't This Working? | ExplainTrade

KAMEHAME… huh?

www.explaintrade.com

 

[iPadified]

Amazing that Trump think USA have an endless amount of people, with the correct skills, to work in factories. It would be equally difficult to, hypothetically, place an iPhone factory in Europe. Full automation would be a possibility but that requires highly educated workforce.

 

[Pezimak]

I'm not sure what all the facts are, but this video was a good watch...

lol literally posted that about 10 comments above your post and already have 2 dislikes. Apple investors are on this site and don't like the truth getting out. The video was certainly an eye opener to Cooks total lack of any ethics chasing profits. And as the video states because of what they have done Apple is doomed one way or another.

 

[jon9091]

Amazing that Trump think USA have an endless amount of people, with the correct skills, to work in factories. It would be equally difficult to, hypothetically, place an iPhone factory in Europe. Full automation would be a possibility but that requires highly educated workforce.

You’re talking about a 78 year old man who has no idea how the grocery store works. He’s nothing but a narcissistic grifter.

 

[ThailandToo]

When you put tariffs on a product it is paid for by the consumer not the producer!

The tariffs increase prices for US citizens. Americans are the most prolific consumers in the world spending $60,000 per capita a year.

When you reduce their spending capacity they will change their voting habits. You’ll see this in the mid terms (if you have them). Then this idiotic approach to trade will cease.

A good article to explain exactly why USA tariffs are so ineffectual for the country.

Trump’s Trade Threats: Why Isn't This Working? | ExplainTrade

KAMEHAME… huh?

www.explaintrade.com

I know how tariffs work. Seen it around the world. The reality is China has manipulated its currency for years to ensure the products remain cheap and it has enslaved its own people to build the military and infrastructure it wanted to become a superpower.

I don’t care if Americans have to pay more. The people need to realize that stupidity isn’t the way to make a great life by using slave labor to say you bought a cheap iPhone or Mac.

 

[skitidetdu]

Why would anyone take this guy seriously: Navarro has written books including The Coming China Wars (2006) and Death by China (2011). In several of his books, Navarro quoted a fictional economist named "Ron Vara", an anagram of his surname, as a source of information (wikipedia)