Apple may delay the release of the iPhone 14 due to tensions between China and Taiwan
Probably, many have heard about the visit of the speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (Nancy Pelosi) to Taiwan and the aggravation due to this tension with China. But how might this affect the smartphone market? It turns out that it can.
The current political situation can directly affect the production of new Apple smartphones and the release of the iPhone 14 line, which is expected in the fall. The fact is that Apple is a major customer of TSMC, and the company supplies chips to Pegatron in China, where iPhones are assembled. Since Pelosi’s visit, the Chinese Communist Party has implemented new rules banning any mention of ‘Taiwan’ or ‘Republic of China’ on shipping documents. This, in turn, means that some, if not all, of the hardware could be sent back to Taiwan, delaying iPhone14 production as a result.
Also exacerbating the situation, Pegatron’s vice chairman and top executives from TSMC were spotted with Pelosi during her visit, so this could be the start of a more bitter trade war between the CCP and Taiwan, involving Apple and other US companies.
According to media reports, Apple is already in talks with its Taiwanese partners and is demanding that all ‘Made in Taiwan’ or ‘Republic of China’ labels be removed or replaced. However, it is still unclear whether the smartphones will be ready by the deadline.
