Apple asks suppliers NOT to use ‘made in Taiwan’ label on products that come from the country

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Technology giant Apple have warned suppliers shipping from Taiwan to ensure that they abide by strict Chinese custom regulations – banning them from saying ‘Made in Taiwan’.

The company has asked their suppliers to follow China’s long-standing rule that anything made in Taiwan has to be labeled as either ‘Taiwan, China’ or ‘Chinese Taipei’.

Tensions have been rising within the US and China, after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has visited Taiwan despite repeated warnings from the Chinese not to, claiming it is a ‘violation of the one-China principle.’

She touched down in Taipei earlier this week and was greeted by Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, before China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately blasted the move, calling it a ‘serious disregard of China’s strong opposition.’

According to a report by Nikkei Asia, the visit ‘stoked fears of rising trade barriers,’ making Apple nervous about ‘possible disruptions’.

The iPhone maker has now warned suppliers that the country has started enforcing their strict customs, so to ensure that they abide by them to prevent further issues.

Apple bosses have reportedly been concerned that any issue with supply could delay the launch of their new iPhone 14 handset in September

Apple bosses have reportedly been concerned that any issue with supply could delay the launch of their new iPhone 14 handset in September 

The iPhone maker has now warned suppliers that the country has started enforcing their strict customs, so to ensure that they abide by them to prevent further issues

The iPhone maker has now warned suppliers that the country has started enforcing their strict customs, so to ensure that they abide by them to prevent further issues

The iPhone maker has now warned suppliers that the country has started enforcing their strict customs, so to ensure that they abide by them to prevent further issues

1659734697 197 Apple asks suppliers NOT to use made in Taiwan label

1659734697 197 Apple asks suppliers NOT to use made in Taiwan label

Apple has asked their suppliers to follow China’s long-standing rule that anything made in Taiwan has to be labeled as either ‘Taiwan, China’ or ‘Chinese Taipei’

Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted a photo of the Congressional delegation's arrival in Taipei with the words: 'Our visit reiterates that America stands with Taiwan: a robust, vibrant democracy and our important partner in the Indo-Pacific'

Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted a photo of the Congressional delegation's arrival in Taipei with the words: 'Our visit reiterates that America stands with Taiwan: a robust, vibrant democracy and our important partner in the Indo-Pacific'

Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted a photo of the Congressional delegation’s arrival in Taipei with the words: ‘Our visit reiterates that America stands with Taiwan: a robust, vibrant democracy and our important partner in the Indo-Pacific’

Apple’s iPhone assembler Pegatron Corp confirmed that its mainland China plant is operating normally amid claims that their shipments were being held by officials for scrutiny.

The penalty for violating the rule is a fine of up to 4,000 yuan ($592), or the shipment being rejected according to the report.

Apple did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.

The company is preparing to launch their next generations of iPhones later this year, with suppliers ramping up manufacturing efforts for the new phone in September.

It comes after major concerns were sparked in the tech industry over supply because of the rising tensions between Taiwan and Chine.

Apple’s chipmaker, the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), has warned that a war between Taiwan and China would make ‘everybody losers,’ sparking economic turmoil.

TSMC Chair Mark Liu, pictured, said earlier this week that the chipmaker's plant, which is the world¿s largest semiconductor manufacturer, would not be able to operate if the Chinese invaded as it cannot be run 'by force'

TSMC Chair Mark Liu, pictured, said earlier this week that the chipmaker's plant, which is the world¿s largest semiconductor manufacturer, would not be able to operate if the Chinese invaded as it cannot be run 'by force'

TSMC Chair Mark Liu, pictured, said earlier this week that the chipmaker’s plant, which is the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturer, would not be able to operate if the Chinese invaded as it cannot be run ‘by force’ 

1659734697 90 Apple asks suppliers NOT to use made in Taiwan label

1659734697 90 Apple asks suppliers NOT to use made in Taiwan label

Amid the intensifying warnings from China over Pelosi's visit, four US ships, including the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (pictured in a file photo), were positioned in waters east of Taiwan on 'routine' deployments

Amid the intensifying warnings from China over Pelosi's visit, four US ships, including the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (pictured in a file photo), were positioned in waters east of Taiwan on 'routine' deployments

Amid the intensifying warnings from China over Pelosi’s visit, four US ships, including the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (pictured in a file photo), were positioned in waters east of Taiwan on ‘routine’ deployments

TSMC Chair Mark Liu said earlier this week that the chipmakers’ plant, which is the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturer, would not be able to operate if the Chinese invaded.

He told CNN: ‘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.’

He urged Bejing to think twice before taking any action, because China accounts for 10 percent of the TSMC’s business.

Taiwan manufactured more than 60 percent of the globe’s semiconductors last year, with Liu urging all parties to think of ways to avoid war so the ‘engine of the world economy can continue humming.’

He added that lessons from the Russian invasion of Ukraine should be learned, as the war there has created a ‘lose, lose, lose’ situation for the Western world as well as Russia and Ukraine.