Apple’s largest device manufacturer, Foxconn Technology Group, is definitely planning to expand its operations to the Unites States. The Chinese behemoth has today confirmed that it has held preliminary discussions for investments that would enable it to move its facilities to the U.S.
Talking about the decision, Foxconn dispensed the following statement:
While the scope of the potential investment has not been determined, we will announce the details of any plans following the completion of direct discussions between our leadership and the relevant U.S. officials. Those plans would be made based on mutually-agreed terms.
Foxconn chose not to divulge any further details regarding the development, which according to unanimous opinion is a bold move not only by Apple but also from its partner manufacturer and supplier. The expanse of its potential investment in the U.S operations is also unknown as the moment.
This disclosure from the Chinese manufacturer comes on the heels of SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son meeting with U.S President-elect Donald Trump today. It is where he has agreed to invest $50 billion in the States to support the creation of over 50,000 new jobs in the country. The massive investment will be cashed from the company’s $100 billion technology fund, which was launched back in October, reports Bloomberg.
The fire from the statement released by Foxconn has further been fanned with the availability of a snapshot of a document held by Son. This mysterious page is said to carry symbols of SoftBank, Foxconn, and references to an additional $7 billion investment and the 50,000 jobs creation statement. There is, however, no confirmation about the same.
This announcement is in accordance with previous reports, which mentioned that Apple had instructed its manufacturers to start looking for opportunities in the States. It had most likely taken the said step to be prepared for the inevitable under the leadership of Donald Trump.
According to the aforementioned report, Foxconn was the only Apple supplier who had agreed to search for favorable opportunities. Pegatron, another high-volume assembler for the Cupertino giant had declined to consider the shift due to higher cost concerns (which differs from Apple CEO Tim Cook’s opinion for the availability of skilled labor in China).
