Foxconn, along with rival supplier Pegatron, have reportedly been asked to consider future production in the United States.
According to a report from Nikkei, that question was posed to both companies by its major partner, Apple. Based on information obtained by the publication, Foxconn has complied with Apple’s request, and has started looking into the possibility of manufacturing devices in the United States. However, Foxconn’s chairman, Terry Gou, is apprehensive to the idea, due to higher production costs.
“Apple asked both Foxconn and Pegatron, the two iPhone assemblers, in June to look into making iPhones in the U.S.,” a source said. “Foxconn complied, while Pegatron declined to formulate such a plan due to cost concerns.”
The pressure for Apple to transition to this manufacturing process is due to president-elect Donald Trump, who has, in the past, made it clear that he plans on “making” Apple build “their damn computers and things in this country instead of in other countries.” While Foxconn appears to be amiable to the idea, albeit hesitant, Pegatron does not seem to be willing to make the change.
[via Nikkei]