Taiwanese Laptop Makers Eye US Expansion to Counter Trump Tariffs
Amidst concerns over President-elect Donald Trump's threatened tariffs, Taiwanese contract laptop manufacturers Compal and Inventec are exploring potential expansion in the United States, with Texas emerging as a leading location.
Texas, particularly, attracts interest due to its burgeoning technology industry, including Samsung's massive semiconductor fabrication plant. The state's independent power grid and infrastructure also make it an attractive destination for manufacturers.
Compal CEO Anthony Peter Bonadero said they are monitoring Trump's tariff policies against Mexico, which have raised concerns among Taiwanese companies with investments in Mexican component manufacturing for electric vehicles and AI servers. Texas, with its proximity to Mexico, has become a prime candidate for investment.
Inventec President Jack Tsai echoes this sentiment, stating that they are evaluating potential US investment locations, including Texas. However, they emphasize that any decisions will be made based on the actual implementation of Trump's tariffs.
Trump has also announced plans for tariffs on goods from China, where Taiwanese companies have significant investments. Taiwan's government has pledged support for companies seeking to relocate production from China.
Wistron, another major Taiwanese manufacturer, is expanding its operations outside of China, including in Mexico, Vietnam, and Texas. Its chairman, Simon Lin, expressed confidence that their US operations are well-positioned to cope with any changes brought by Trump's tariffs.