Apple advises suppliers to follow China’s rule on ‘Made in Taiwan’ labeling

Apple has cautioned suppliers against printing “Made in Taiwan” on any of their products. The company made it clear to suppliers that they must continue to follow China’s long-standing rule that anything manufactured in Taiwan must be labeled as either “Taiwan, China” or “Chinese Taipei.”

Apple stressed that this must be treated with urgency to avoid in delays caused by products being held for further scrutiny by Chinese customs. In the event that the labelling rule were violated, this could result in a $592 fine, or the possibility of the shipment being rejected, according to an Apple report.

The world’s biggest producer of computer chips are made in Taiwan by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). These chips are used in a variety of different products, including the iPhone 13.

Apple is in a position where they are dependent on both China and Taiwan for product completion. TSMC spoke out and said that if a war were to break out between China and Taiwan, it would make “everybody losers.”

TSMC Chairman Mark Liu stated that, should China invade Taiwan, it’s likely that their plant would cease production of computer chips.

Liu spoke to CNN and told them that “Nobody can control TSMC by force. If you take a military force or invasion, you will render TSMC factory not operable.”

“Because this is such a sophisticated manufacturing facility, it depends on real-time connection with the outside world, with Europe, with Japan, with U.S., from materials to chemicals to spare parts to engineering software and diagnosis,” Liu said.

Liu pressed all relevant parties to work together to prevent a war to allow the “engine of the world economy can continue humming.” He cited the Russia-Ukraine war as an example and said that war created a “lose lose lose” scenario for not only the two countries involved, but also the western world.