Taiwanese contract laptop manufacturers Compal and Inventec are considering expansion into the United States, with Texas being a top choice, as they anticipate potential tariffs from President-elect Donald Trump. Trump's proposed tariffs of 10% on global imports into the U.S. have raised concerns globally, disrupting trade dynamics and increasing costs, potentially inviting retaliation against U.S. exports.
Compal's President and CEO, Anthony Peter Bonadero, mentioned that they are exploring investment opportunities in several southern U.S. states, particularly monitoring the impact of Trump's tariffs on Mexico. He highlighted Texas as a potential location due to its infrastructure, mentioning Samsung's investment as a significant factor in their evaluation process. However, he emphasized that no final decisions have been made yet.
Meanwhile, Inventec's President, Jack Tsai, stated that they are assessing various locations for investment in the U.S., with Texas being preferred for its proximity to Mexico and robust infrastructure. Tsai also acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the tariffs, indicating the need to wait for Trump's decisions post-inauguration to plan their response accordingly.
In light of Trump's proposed 60% tariffs on Chinese imports, Taiwanese companies with significant investments in China, such as Wistron, are diversifying their production outside China. Wistron's Chairman, Simon Lin, expressed confidence in their U.S. operations, emphasizing a strategic shift away from China towards other locations like Mexico, Vietnam, and Texas for future endeavors.