Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

trump

Apple’s push for automation: Airlifts, tariffs, and the future of iPhone manufacturing

by

As geopolitical tensions continue to reshape global trade, Apple finds itself re-engineering not just iPhones but its entire production model.

Reports that the company recently airlifted large quantities of its smartphones out of China to avoid tariffs have highlighted the mounting pressure to diversify its supply chain – and potentially to expand manufacturing closer to home.

The airlifts, which reportedly moved iPhones to markets like India and Vietnam, underscore a broader shift under way. [Read more…] about Apple’s push for automation: Airlifts, tariffs, and the future of iPhone manufacturing

Manufacturing content: Is Trump’s tariffs policy about economic justice?

by

President Donald Trump is once again placing American manufacturing at the center of his economic agenda, promising to bring back industrial jobs and rebuild the nation’s productive base. His primary tool for doing so? Tariffs.

These duties on imported goods are designed to make foreign products more expensive, creating space for domestic producers to compete.

The idea is simple: if it costs more to buy a product from China or Germany, then producing it in Ohio or Michigan suddenly makes more economic sense. [Read more…] about Manufacturing content: Is Trump’s tariffs policy about economic justice?

Will Trump’s plan to reshore US manufacturing succeed?

by

President Donald Trump’s renewed push to bring manufacturing back to the United States – anchored by sweeping tariffs and nationalist economic policies – has reignited debate over whether such strategies can truly revitalize American industry.

While the administration touts tariffs as a tool to protect domestic jobs and reduce trade deficits, critics argue that the approach is economically disruptive and unlikely to deliver the promised manufacturing renaissance.​ [Read more…] about Will Trump’s plan to reshore US manufacturing succeed?

Trump pauses tariffs for 90 days for most nations, escalates duties on Chinese imports

by

In a significant shift in US trade policy, President Donald Trump has declared a 90-day suspension of elevated tariffs on most countries, while concurrently intensifying tariffs on Chinese imports to 125 percent.

This move comes amid global economic uncertainty and mounting pressure from international allies, domestic lawmakers, and financial markets. [Read more…] about Trump pauses tariffs for 90 days for most nations, escalates duties on Chinese imports

Trump grants tariff exemptions for Apple and other tech firms

by

President Donald Trump has rolled back some of his most aggressive trade measures by granting tariff exemptions for a range of consumer electronics, offering critical relief to companies such as Apple, Dell, and Nvidia.

In guidance issued late Friday, the US Customs and Border Protection agency confirmed that smartphones, laptops, computer chips, and other electronics would be excluded from the administration’s latest round of reciprocal tariffs targeting China.

The exemptions apply retroactively from April 5 and cover approximately 20 product categories. [Read more…] about Trump grants tariff exemptions for Apple and other tech firms

Trump looking to ban Alibaba

by

Alibaba, which at one time was the world’s largest e-commerce company, is in the sights of US President Donald Trump, according to Reuters.

Asked directly at a White House briefing if he was considering a ban on Alibaba, Trump replied: “We’re looking at other things, yes we are.”

Alibaba is a Chinese company most famous for its business-to-business website Alibaba.com, where qualified buyers can contact and do businesses directly with manufacturers and other industrial companies in China. [Read more…] about Trump looking to ban Alibaba

Foxconn moving operations out of China

by

Foxconn, one of the most well known Chinese manufacturing companies as a result of its status as main supplier for Apple, is moving significant parts of its operations outside of China.

The company, which according to TechSpot reported almost $800 million net profit for the quarter ending in June, has already moved an additional 5 percent of its operations to countries other than China, bring it up to 30 percent, compared with 25 percent last year.

China is still overwhelmingly the main base for Foxconn’s manufacturing operations, representing some 70 percent of its production capacity, but the company is scouting many locations abroad. [Read more…] about Foxconn moving operations out of China

Canada imposes tariffs on US goods in retaliation

by

Canada is to impose tariffs on American imports in retaliation for the recent decision by the US to levy a 10 percent tax on Canadian aluminum imports.

Canada’s deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland says that the tariffs would match the US taxes “dollar for dollar”, according to a story on Manufacturing.net.

President Donald Trump (main picture) has been expressing his dissatisfaction with the terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement since coming to office and at one point wanted to take America out of it. [Read more…] about Canada imposes tariffs on US goods in retaliation

US demands Hong Kong-made goods be relabelled ‘Made in China’

by

The United States government is calling for goods made or exported to the US from Hong Kong to be relabelled “Made in China”, according to a report on the South China Morning Post. 

The measure, to be introduced by US President Donald Trump, does not appear to need Congressional approval or any kind of vote.

It will mean that Hong Kong companies exporting to the US will be required to pay the same kind of punitive tariffs currently placed on goods arriving in America from mainland China. [Read more…] about US demands Hong Kong-made goods be relabelled ‘Made in China’

US targets Chinese tech giants for bans and sales

by

The United States is targeting a range of Chinese-owned tech giants for bans or sales in a bid to put pressure on its economic rival.

The administration of President Donald Trump appears to be conflating “national security” issues with economic measures which it believes are fair while others consider protectionist.

Trump has signed executive orders which may see the sale within 45 days of video-sharing app TikTok to Microsoft. Another app in the administration’s bad books is WeChat, according to the South China Morning Post. [Read more…] about US targets Chinese tech giants for bans and sales