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Apple loyalists may have to wait even longer, as reports have emerged that the iPhone 14 may be delayed due to mounting tensions between China and Taiwan.
The delay is attributed to the visit of the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan last week.
Pelosi’s visit
Apple is the primary customer of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company or TSMC.
The company often supplies chips to Pegatron, where iPhones are assembled in China.
Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan only adds to the strained relationship between the two.
As a result, the Communist Party of China has issued new regulations prohibiting any mention of Taiwan or the Democratic Republic of the Congo in shipping documents.
The regulations suggest that some (if not all) of the hardware can be returned to Taiwan, delaying production of the iPhone 14.
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The “One China” policy
Pelosi’s visit was seen as a violation of the “one China” policy that the United States has followed for 50 years.
The policy states that the US 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.”
He also claims that the United States “does not challenge that position.”
While the United States has a formal relationship with the People’s Republic of China, it also has an “unofficial” relationship with Taiwan, which according to the People’s Republic of China was made official with Pelosi’s visit.
The result
The visit prompted the People’s Republic of China to flex its military muscle, fly 68 fighter jets off the coast of Taiwan, send warships into the Taiwan Strait, and send drones to Japan.
The People’s Republic of China also broke off talks with the United States on previous issues.
Pegatron
Pegatron is a Taiwanese electronics company specializing in computers, communications and consumer electronics.
During the visit, the company’s vice president and top executives from TSMC were seen with Pelosi, adding fuel to the fire.
Their actions could also lead to a bitter trade war between China and Taiwan, with Apple and other US-based companies in between.
Apple has made it clear to its supply chain that this is an urgent matter as the iPhone 14 series is assembled.
Reports have also surfaced that the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max are having problems with their screens and that the camera lenses break.
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Mounting problems before iPhone 14 is unveiled
With the iPhone 14 series unveiling in a few weeks, the last thing Apple needs is for shipments destined for the training assembly line to be rejected by customs and sent back to Taiwan.
The “Made in Taiwan” label on import declaration forms or shipping boxes from China can also result in shipments being blocked or rejected.
In addition, a fine of 4,000 yen or US $ 592 may also be imposed.
Meanwhile, Taiwan requires all export products to bear a label indicating the origin of the shipment, which means they must be stamped as coming from Taiwan or the Republic of China, which Chinese customs do not want to see.
Apple has warned Taiwan-based suppliers to develop contingency plans to avoid supply chain disruptions.
Apple has also instructed its supply chain to check and process labels on cartons and forms for shipments from Taiwan to China as needed.
While the chip shortage and supply chain problems remain a thorn in Apple’s side, the company must remain diplomatic.
References:
iPhone 14 could be delayed due to growing China-Taiwan tension
Apple caught between suppliers in Taiwan and assemblers in China; iPhone 14 delay possible
