tzeshan

This article failed to stress the role Taiwanese manufacturers played in the high tech revolution. They played a vital role in the domination of Windows PC. In fact, in the early days more than 50% of the PCs are made in Taiwan. These players engaged in the cut throat price war, not Dell, HP. In order to be profitable, they thought about ways to save money such as discussed in this article. 

JWSC said:

My wife and I have lawyer friends in HK, and they are staying clear of any potential client connected with the protest violence.  Not saying this is right.  They are just scared.  It is shocking how bad the situation has become is a truly unique city that fuses eastern and western culture so well.

The protestors have been targeting local businesses that they belief support the HK government.  The destruction and violence caused by the protesters is an invitation to mainland China to act, and not in a good way.

Apple’s HK stores may be at risk now.  Security should be increased immediately.

I think Beijing will try its best not to directly involve .  And there is big risk for US too. If Beijing acts then US government has no choice but to accept these protesters as political refugees. And I think this is secret motive these people are doing. 

tzm41 said:

I've closely followed some protestors' social media accounts since I'm fluent in Cantonese. The hatred towards police and the metro system... They vowed to burn down the MTR and they did, forcing the whole system to shut down for two days. They forced some children of police officers to take leaves from schools since these children are threatened or bullied by their peers who are protesters. They attack police with petrol bombs and catapults.

I mean, the police fires tear gas and yells at protestors too, but I don't doubt that this kind of application enables protestors to ambush police officers and their relatives.

I heard that Hong Kong people are afraid to go out during weekends. They purchased groceries on Thursday and Friday. 

JWSC said:

So, Tim is right, as far as his statement goes.  But let’s not forget who built up China - American bean counters who, it turns out, really didn’t know which beans they should be counting.

First it was, ‘Chinese labor is cheap’ so let’s manufacture there.  And then ‘oh crap, the Chinese don’t have proper infrastructure’ so let’s get them started with that.  Then more second tier Chinese suppliers sprung up, and more infrastructure was put in place.  And then large regions such as Shenzhen turned into massive draws for subsistence farmers looking for a better life.  And they morphed into a large and highly skilled labor force.  And then even more infrastructure was put in place.

But the bean counters neglected to take full account of the logistics needed to ship all the bits and pieces all around the world.  And what might have worked OK 20 years ago is woefully out of date today.  But we can’t change our sourcing now.  China has the infrastructure, right??!

So yea, China has all that going for it now.  I begrudge them not.  But the US, and Europe, can and should have that too.

All the excuses in the world can’t take away from the fact that American CEOs, CFOs and their assorted bean counters sold out their communities and their company rank and file to get a few extra pennies on the dollar out of product so they could please their stockholders and get those extra bonuses, while their US factories got shut down and their once loyal employees got a pick slip.  That’s a f-ing bitter pill to swallow.

Tim, do better!

You seem like a young person that don't know US recent history. US economy never worked out of greedy of CEOs, CFO. US steel industry did not move out of US but they can hardly make good profit without government protection. Why is that? US auto industry mostly stayed in US. But Chrysler was near insolvent in the early 80s. GM wen bankrupt not long ago, Why is that? Do you know US experience high inflation in late 70s and early 80s? Why is that? Because US labor unions are very strong and greedy. Until Reason quashed them and allowed US companies to move out US in large scale. According to your thesis, the first step that China is able to attract foreign companies is cheap labor. Does US satisfy this requirement now? 

Mike Wuerthele said:

tzeshan said:

I want to know where are those Windows PCs and servers made? Are they made in USA? 

Some are assembled in the US. Nearly every part for every manufacturer comes from China.

Does HP get tariff exemptions? If not, then this is a fair game. Every Americans should bear the cost of expensive PCs and servers.