Despite recent conciliatory signals from the US government towards China, PC brand manufacturers already in the process of diversifying their production are not slowing down. Sources within the original design manufacturing (ODM) sector reveal that these brands are not only shifting production for US-bound products but are also beginning to move production for European markets out of China.
As AI business opportunities continue to develop, many industry insiders admit that the current landscape remains dominated by large corporations, particularly in the chip sector. Leading companies like Nvidia and other cloud-based AI chip makers, such as those focusing on ASICs, remain the biggest winners. On the other hand, smaller chipmakers, especially those from Taiwan focusing on edge devices, have yet to experience significant momentum in the AI market.
The escalating US-China trade conflict is placing consumer electronics and high-tech industries at the center of geopolitical strain. As trade barriers rise and nationalism grows, American brands such as Apple and Tesla are increasingly vulnerable in the Chinese market, facing both regulatory headwinds and shifting consumer sentiment.
According to sources within the notebook supply chain, meetings with brand manufacturers are intensifying as companies navigate the uncertainty created by the unpredictable nature of Trump's tariff policies. While no one can say for certain what direction the policy will take, two things are clear: assembly lines will not remain in China, and they will not return to the US.
Shifting tariffs have thrown global supply chains into disarray. Many clients, caught in the uncertainty, have halted shipments and paused production until tariff rates are clarified, demanding a renegotiation of prices before any new manufacturing can proceed. No timeline has been given for when operations might resume.
On April 7, multiple Chinese Apple suppliers responded to the Trump administration's newly announced "reciprocal tariffs." Reports from Xinhua and Sina show that many A-share listed firms downplayed their US exposure and said the policy would have minimal operational impact. They also cited diversified production and flexible strategies to manage risk.
