Apple caught between suppliers in Taiwan and assemblers in China; iPhone 14 delay possible

The Communist Chinese government got their panties in a bunch this past week when Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca) visited Taiwan. China saw this as a violation of the “One China” policy that the U.S. has adhered to for fifty years. That policy states that the American government “acknowledges that all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China” and the U.S. “does not challenge that position.”

The People’s Republic of China feels that the U.S. has violated its “One China” policy

While the U.S. has a formal relationship with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), it does have an “unofficial” relationship with Taiwan that the PRC felt was being made official with Pelosi’s visit. As a result, the country flexed some military muscle by flying 68 warplanes off the coast of Taiwan, sending warships toward the Strait of Taiwan, and sending drones toward Japan while Pelosi was in Taiwan. The PRC also decided to cut off talks that it was having with the U.S. over various subjects.

Some supplies being sent to manufacturer Pegatron are being blocked by Chinese customs

Taiwan is where many major U.S. tech firms, like Apple, source supplies like chips. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. (TSMC) is the top independent foundry in the world and counts Apple as its number one customer. Today, Apple told its Taiwan-based suppliers, including TSMC, that when shipping parts and components to China they must comply with China’s new regulations that include labeling the supplies as made in “Taiwan, China” or “Chinese Taipai.”

The reason for the warning from Apple to its Taiwan-based suppliers is due to China’s decision to hold up supplies sent by suppliers in Taiwan to the Pegatron factory in Suzhou China which builds some products for U.S. firms like Microsoft and Taiwan. These shipments are being held up by customs in the PRC and all documentation and shipping containers are being looked with a fine tooth comb to make sure that they don’t mention Taiwan or its official “Republic of China” moniker.

With the unveiling of the 2022 iPhone models just weeks away, this is the last thing Apple needs

But aye, here’s the rub. On the other hand, Taiwan demands that all exports have a label stating the origin of the shipment which means that they need to be stamped “Taiwan” or “Republic of China.” That of course is exactly what Chinese customs doesn’t want to see. In an attempt to avoid supply chain disruptions, Apple has warned its Taiwan-based suppliers to develop some sort of contingency plans.

Apple also asked its supply chain to go through and edit labels on cartons and forms for shipments from Taiwan to China, if necessary, according to those familiar with the situation. Chip shortages and supply chain issues are a huge headache for Apple right now and with the awkward timing, Apple has to remain diplomatic.