Apple asks Foxconn to move iPad, MacBook production from China to Vietnam

AppleInsider · November 26, 2020 11:53AM

Apple is reportedly working to diversify its iPad and MacBook production to avoid potential trade dispute problems between China and the US.

Credit: Foxconn

Following Apple's previous move to have AirPods and AirPods Pro made in Vietnam, the company has reportedly asked Foxconn to expand in the country. It's asked Foxconn to move some portion of both its iPad and MacBook assembly to Vietnam, though there is no confirmed date for the change.

According to Reuters, Apple has asked Foxconn to do this as part of a general move to reduce its reliance on China.

"The move was requested by Apple," an unnamed source told Reuters. "It wants to diversify production following the trade war."

No dates or specific details about what proportion of production will be moved. However, Reuters reports that Foxconn's iPad and MacBook plant in Vietnam's Bac Giang province is expected to begin production for Apple in the first half of 2021.

The publication also reports that it is believed all iPads are current assembled in China. This would mean that it's the first time the work would be done outside that country.

Neither Apple nor Foxconn has confirmed the report.

22july2013 · November 26, 2020 12:18PM

I see Apple is moving up, from doing business with a country that gets 2.26 (out of 10) on the democracy index (China) to a country that gets 3.06 (Viet Nam). I would much rather see Apple do its business in a higher scoring country, perhaps India (6.90) or Brazil (6.86.) I guess Apple's core values don't include freedom or democracy or human rights. Well, at least they aren't doing business with North Korea (1.08), or Saudi Arabia (1.93). I guess Apple wouldn't do business with Saudi Arabia because Apple has strong LGBTQ values.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index <--

By the way, on environmental indexes, Viet Nam is near the bottom. Although India is even closer to the bottom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_Performance_Index <--

georgebmac · November 26, 2020 1:24PM

22july2013 said:

I see Apple is moving up, from doing business with a country that gets 2.26 (out of 10) on the democracy index (China) to a country that gets 3.06 (Viet Nam). I would much rather see Apple do its business in a higher scoring country, perhaps India (6.90) or Brazil (6.86.) I guess Apple's core values don't include freedom or democracy or human rights. Well, at least they aren't doing business with North Korea (1.08), or Saudi Arabia (1.93). I guess Apple wouldn't do business with Saudi Arabia because Apple has strong LGBTQ values.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index <--

By the way, on environmental indexes, Viet Nam is near the bottom. Although India is even closer to the bottom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_Performance_Index <--

I couldn't care less what form of government a country chooses for itself. And, as business people, Apple should be concerned with product quality and cost rather than politics.

edited November 2020

22july2013 · November 26, 2020 1:33PM

GeorgeBMac said:

22july2013 said:

I see Apple is moving up, from doing business with a country that gets 2.26 (out of 10) on the democracy index (China) to a country that gets 3.06 (Viet Nam). I would much rather see Apple do its business in a higher scoring country, perhaps India (6.90) or Brazil (6.86.) I guess Apple's core values don't include freedom or democracy or human rights. Well, at least they aren't doing business with North Korea (1.08), or Saudi Arabia (1.93). I guess Apple wouldn't do business with Saudi Arabia because Apple has strong LGBTQ values.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index <--

By the way, on environmental indexes, Viet Nam is near the bottom. Although India is even closer to the bottom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_Performance_Index <--

I couldn't care less what form of government a country chooses for itself.

I agree with that statement, but the problem is that people don't get to choose their own governments in dictatorships. So I infer you are against sanctions against North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba and Syria.

22july2013 · November 26, 2020 1:37PM

GeorgeBMac said:

22july2013 said:

I see Apple is moving up, from doing business with a country that gets 2.26 (out of 10) on the democracy index (China) to a country that gets 3.06 (Viet Nam). I would much rather see Apple do its business in a higher scoring country, perhaps India (6.90) or Brazil (6.86.) I guess Apple's core values don't include freedom or democracy or human rights. Well, at least they aren't doing business with North Korea (1.08), or Saudi Arabia (1.93). I guess Apple wouldn't do business with Saudi Arabia because Apple has strong LGBTQ values.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index <--

By the way, on environmental indexes, Viet Nam is near the bottom. Although India is even closer to the bottom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_Performance_Index <--

And, as business people, Apple should be concerned with product quality and cost rather than politics.

As business people, should Apple be concerned with product quality and cost rather than the environment?

kamilton · November 26, 2020 2:04PM

This is an immensely complicated decision. Take a moment to consider then prioritize just 10 factors in the decision. Always, human rights are in conflict with lowest cost of labor. Moving all production to the US, where reliable folks wouldn’t even apply for a job for less than 20/hour + benefits, would double the cost of a respective product, pricing that product out of competitive contention in the marketplace. A dead company has no ability to influence human rights and democracy!

Why do so many posts here fail to consider such a simple business concept? Apple understands the big picture and is leading many industries in renewable and recyclable business practices. If you take a long look, from 1800 to present, you’ll see that business practices are evolving in a more humane and ecologically intelligent direction. Some countries are way ahead of others, but that’s to be expected. It’s happening. Unless we have an economic collapse or a natural disaster effecting the globe, progress will continue.

lkrupp · November 26, 2020 2:18PM

22july2013 said:

I see Apple is moving up, from doing business with a country that gets 2.26 (out of 10) on the democracy index (China) to a country that gets 3.06 (Viet Nam). I would much rather see Apple do its business in a higher scoring country, perhaps India (6.90) or Brazil (6.86.) I guess Apple's core values don't include freedom or democracy or human rights. Well, at least they aren't doing business with North Korea (1.08), or Saudi Arabia (1.93). I guess Apple wouldn't do business with Saudi Arabia because Apple has strong LGBTQ values.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index <--

By the way, on environmental indexes, Viet Nam is near the bottom. Although India is even closer to the bottom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_Performance_Index <--

Well, since those who squawk about human rights and the environment don’t seem wiling to pay higher prices for goods made in countries they approve of, I don’t think their opinions matter much. Do those people check the labels for point of manufacture when buying clothing? Do they buy USA made clothing online and pay 25% more for them? I sincerely doubt it. Oh wait, those same people also think the USA is a cesspool human rights abuses, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, bigotry, misogyny, etc so I guess it’s a wash.

edited November 2020

foregoneconclusion · November 26, 2020 2:22PM

kamilton said: Moving all production to the US, where reliable folks wouldn’t even apply for a job for less than 20/hour + benefits, would double the cost of a respective product, pricing that product out of competitive contention in the marketplace.

Cost of labor primarily factors into profit levels, not retail pricing. That's the reason you see wide ranges of price differences for products manufactured by the same labor pools. $200 running shoes aren't priced that way because the workers making them got better pay or benefits.

sarkany · November 26, 2020 2:48PM

GeorgeBMac said:

22july2013 said:

I see Apple is moving up, from doing business with a country that gets 2.26 (out of 10) on the democracy index (China) to a country that gets 3.06 (Viet Nam). I would much rather see Apple do its business in a higher scoring country, perhaps India (6.90) or Brazil (6.86.) I guess Apple's core values don't include freedom or democracy or human rights. Well, at least they aren't doing business with North Korea (1.08), or Saudi Arabia (1.93). I guess Apple wouldn't do business with Saudi Arabia because Apple has strong LGBTQ values.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index <--

By the way, on environmental indexes, Viet Nam is near the bottom. Although India is even closer to the bottom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_Performance_Index <--

I couldn't care less what form of government a country chooses for itself. And, as business people, Apple should be concerned with product quality and cost rather than politics.

Apple cares a lot about politics...up until the point where it affects their bottom line negatively.

spamsandwich · November 26, 2020 2:54PM

Interesting rumor. If accurate, it indicates Apple is not confident there will be a new President in the US. The “new guy” is famously beholden to China and wants to completely reverse current trade practices.

georgebmac · November 26, 2020 5:54PM

22july2013 said:

GeorgeBMac said:

22july2013 said:

I see Apple is moving up, from doing business with a country that gets 2.26 (out of 10) on the democracy index (China) to a country that gets 3.06 (Viet Nam). I would much rather see Apple do its business in a higher scoring country, perhaps India (6.90) or Brazil (6.86.) I guess Apple's core values don't include freedom or democracy or human rights. Well, at least they aren't doing business with North Korea (1.08), or Saudi Arabia (1.93). I guess Apple wouldn't do business with Saudi Arabia because Apple has strong LGBTQ values.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index <--

By the way, on environmental indexes, Viet Nam is near the bottom. Although India is even closer to the bottom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_Performance_Index <--

I couldn't care less what form of government a country chooses for itself.

I agree with that statement, but the problem is that people don't get to choose their own governments in dictatorships. So I infer you are against sanctions against North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba and Syria.

The Chinese people, contrary to right wing propaganda, seem to be far happier with their government than we here in the U.S. The Chinese aren't the ones talking about civil war, sending armed militias to invade state government houses and kidnapping their leaders -- or coups to overturn their government.

Responsible, ethical leadership doesn't depend on the form of government.

georgebmac · November 26, 2020 5:56PM

22july2013 said:

GeorgeBMac said:

22july2013 said:

I see Apple is moving up, from doing business with a country that gets 2.26 (out of 10) on the democracy index (China) to a country that gets 3.06 (Viet Nam). I would much rather see Apple do its business in a higher scoring country, perhaps India (6.90) or Brazil (6.86.) I guess Apple's core values don't include freedom or democracy or human rights. Well, at least they aren't doing business with North Korea (1.08), or Saudi Arabia (1.93). I guess Apple wouldn't do business with Saudi Arabia because Apple has strong LGBTQ values.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index <--

By the way, on environmental indexes, Viet Nam is near the bottom. Although India is even closer to the bottom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_Performance_Index <--

And, as business people, Apple should be concerned with product quality and cost rather than politics.

As business people, should Apple be concerned with product quality and cost rather than the environment?

YOU said that. Not me. Go argue with yourself.

tzeshan · November 26, 2020 6:00PM

Very funny. Despite Trump repeatedly claims US is the greatest country in the world. US and all other countries are not able to replace Taiwanese company Foxconn in assembling iPhone, iPad, MacBooks, AirPods. I like to know why Taiwanese is so superior to US and all other countries including China and India?

georgebmac · November 26, 2020 6:03PM

lkrupp said:

22july2013 said:

I see Apple is moving up, from doing business with a country that gets 2.26 (out of 10) on the democracy index (China) to a country that gets 3.06 (Viet Nam). I would much rather see Apple do its business in a higher scoring country, perhaps India (6.90) or Brazil (6.86.) I guess Apple's core values don't include freedom or democracy or human rights. Well, at least they aren't doing business with North Korea (1.08), or Saudi Arabia (1.93). I guess Apple wouldn't do business with Saudi Arabia because Apple has strong LGBTQ values.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index <--

By the way, on environmental indexes, Viet Nam is near the bottom. Although India is even closer to the bottom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_Performance_Index <--

Well, since those who squawk about human rights and the environment don’t seem wiling to pay higher prices for goods made in countries they approve of, I don’t think their opinions matter much. Do those people check the labels for point of manufacture when buying clothing? Do they buy USA made clothing online and pay 25% more for them? I sincerely doubt it. Oh wait, those same people also think the USA is a cesspool human rights abuses, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, bigotry, misogyny, etc so I guess it’s a wash.

You should maybe:

1) Practice what you preach

2) Get a better grasp of American history -- and current events for that matter.

georgebmac · November 26, 2020 6:13PM

SpamSandwich said:

Interesting rumor. If accurate, it indicates Apple is not confident there will be a new President in the US. The “new guy” is famously beholden to China and wants to completely reverse current trade practices.

No, that's the old, bitter guy. But China was bemused at that old, bitter guy trying to stage a coup against his own government. But, after holding back, munching their pop corn and watching the show, they finally congratulated and welcomed the new guy.

hentaiboy · November 26, 2020 6:32PM

Of course lower manufacturing costs in Vietnam would have nothing to do with this decision, right?

/s

November 26, 2020 6:43PM

GeorgeBMac said:

22july2013 said:

I see Apple is moving up, from doing business with a country that gets 2.26 (out of 10) on the democracy index (China) to a country that gets 3.06 (Viet Nam). I would much rather see Apple do its business in a higher scoring country, perhaps India (6.90) or Brazil (6.86.) I guess Apple's core values don't include freedom or democracy or human rights. Well, at least they aren't doing business with North Korea (1.08), or Saudi Arabia (1.93). I guess Apple wouldn't do business with Saudi Arabia because Apple has strong LGBTQ values.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index <--

By the way, on environmental indexes, Viet Nam is near the bottom. Although India is even closer to the bottom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_Performance_Index <--

I couldn't care less what form of government a country chooses for itself. And, as business people, Apple should be concerned with product quality and cost rather than politics.

So if this were the 1940's and Apple was having their products built using Nazi concentration camp labor, you'd be cool with that?

November 26, 2020 6:49PM

GeorgeBMac said:

22july2013 said:

GeorgeBMac said:

22july2013 said:

I see Apple is moving up, from doing business with a country that gets 2.26 (out of 10) on the democracy index (China) to a country that gets 3.06 (Viet Nam). I would much rather see Apple do its business in a higher scoring country, perhaps India (6.90) or Brazil (6.86.) I guess Apple's core values don't include freedom or democracy or human rights. Well, at least they aren't doing business with North Korea (1.08), or Saudi Arabia (1.93). I guess Apple wouldn't do business with Saudi Arabia because Apple has strong LGBTQ values.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index <--

By the way, on environmental indexes, Viet Nam is near the bottom. Although India is even closer to the bottom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_Performance_Index <--

I couldn't care less what form of government a country chooses for itself.

I agree with that statement, but the problem is that people don't get to choose their own governments in dictatorships. So I infer you are against sanctions against North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba and Syria.

The Chinese people, contrary to right wing propaganda, seem to be far happier with their government than we here in the U.S. The Chinese aren't the ones talking about civil war, sending armed militias to invade state government houses and kidnapping their leaders -- or coups to overturn their government.

Responsible, ethical leadership doesn't depend on the form of government.

Chinese people can't so much text a friend their slight unhappiness about the government; they'll be quickly visited by a government official, at the minimum. I work with many chinese and this is true.

You forgot about puttings lists together of members of the losing party so they can potentially be jailed, likely without trial.

November 26, 2020 6:53PM

lkrupp said:

22july2013 said:

I see Apple is moving up, from doing business with a country that gets 2.26 (out of 10) on the democracy index (China) to a country that gets 3.06 (Viet Nam). I would much rather see Apple do its business in a higher scoring country, perhaps India (6.90) or Brazil (6.86.) I guess Apple's core values don't include freedom or democracy or human rights. Well, at least they aren't doing business with North Korea (1.08), or Saudi Arabia (1.93). I guess Apple wouldn't do business with Saudi Arabia because Apple has strong LGBTQ values.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index <--

By the way, on environmental indexes, Viet Nam is near the bottom. Although India is even closer to the bottom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_Performance_Index <--

Well, since those who squawk about human rights and the environment don’t seem wiling to pay higher prices for goods made in countries they approve of, I don’t think their opinions matter much. Do those people check the labels for point of manufacture when buying clothing? Do they buy USA made clothing online and pay 25% more for them? I sincerely doubt it. Oh wait, those same people also think the USA is a cesspool human rights abuses, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, bigotry, misogyny, etc so I guess it’s a wash.

Perhaps it could come out of Apple's $60B annual profit? Or, maybe the millions it pays in executive bonuses? But, sure, let's have the guy making $30k/yr make up the difference.

tzeshan · November 26, 2020 7:13PM

6502 said:

GeorgeBMac said:

22july2013 said:

GeorgeBMac said:

22july2013 said:

I see Apple is moving up, from doing business with a country that gets 2.26 (out of 10) on the democracy index (China) to a country that gets 3.06 (Viet Nam). I would much rather see Apple do its business in a higher scoring country, perhaps India (6.90) or Brazil (6.86.) I guess Apple's core values don't include freedom or democracy or human rights. Well, at least they aren't doing business with North Korea (1.08), or Saudi Arabia (1.93). I guess Apple wouldn't do business with Saudi Arabia because Apple has strong LGBTQ values.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index <--

By the way, on environmental indexes, Viet Nam is near the bottom. Although India is even closer to the bottom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_Performance_Index <--

I couldn't care less what form of government a country chooses for itself.

I agree with that statement, but the problem is that people don't get to choose their own governments in dictatorships. So I infer you are against sanctions against North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba and Syria.

The Chinese people, contrary to right wing propaganda, seem to be far happier with their government than we here in the U.S. The Chinese aren't the ones talking about civil war, sending armed militias to invade state government houses and kidnapping their leaders -- or coups to overturn their government.

Responsible, ethical leadership doesn't depend on the form of government.

Chinese people can't so much text a friend their slight unhappiness about the government; they'll be quickly visited by a government official, at the minimum. I work with many chinese and this is true.

You forgot about puttings lists together of members of the losing party so they can potentially be jailed, likely without trial.

And Trump wants to ban WeChat so your friends can not text their family and friends.

tzeshan · November 26, 2020 7:17PM

22july2013 said:

GeorgeBMac said:

22july2013 said:

I see Apple is moving up, from doing business with a country that gets 2.26 (out of 10) on the democracy index (China) to a country that gets 3.06 (Viet Nam). I would much rather see Apple do its business in a higher scoring country, perhaps India (6.90) or Brazil (6.86.) I guess Apple's core values don't include freedom or democracy or human rights. Well, at least they aren't doing business with North Korea (1.08), or Saudi Arabia (1.93). I guess Apple wouldn't do business with Saudi Arabia because Apple has strong LGBTQ values.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index <--

By the way, on environmental indexes, Viet Nam is near the bottom. Although India is even closer to the bottom.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_Performance_Index <--

I couldn't care less what form of government a country chooses for itself.

I agree with that statement, but the problem is that people don't get to choose their own governments in dictatorships. So I infer you are against sanctions against North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba and Syria.

Why do you left out Saudi Arabia and other Arabian nations?

Apple asks Foxconn to move iPad, MacBook production from China to Vietnam

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