Apple has reportedly asked suppliers in Taiwan to strictly enforce a long-standing rule that Taiwanese-made parts and components are labeled made either in “Taiwan, China” or “Chinese Taipei. The warning comes following House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taipei.
Officials can delay and even reject shipments that say “Made in Taiwan”: Chinese Policy
According to Nikkei, the company wants to avoid disruption from strict Chinese customs inspections. Moreover, the direction is in line with a policy China has had in place for years. However, it is only now that the company began enforcing, after tensions with the US flared up following Pelosi’s visit last week.
Under the policy, officials can delay and even reject shipments that say “Made in Taiwan.” Moreover, in a worst-case scenario, a fine of 4,000 yuan ($592) may also be levied. The self-governing island has its own set of labeling rules. Shipments must list “Taiwan” or “Republic of China” as the point of origin.
The announcement comes at a time when Apple is all set to launch iPhone 14
The tech giant and many other American companies have a complicated relationship with China. Moreover, the announcement comes at a time when Apple is all set to launch iPhone 14 and other new products in September.
Reportedly, the iPhone 14 production capacity in India won’t be enough to fill the gap caused by production challenges in China in the short term. However, it must be noted that it’s still an “important milestone for Apple” when it comes to expanding iPhone production to other places
Equally important, it wouldn’t be the first time Apple has sought to appease the Chinese Communist Party. In 2019, the company removed the Taiwan flag emoji from iOS in Hong Kong. This happened amid the pro-democracy protests that occurred in the city that year.
