Taiwan’s Foxconn, which plans to open a plant in Wisconsin, assembles Apple iPhones and other products for tech companies.<\/b>
\nSHENZHEN, China \u2014 The CEO of Taiwan\u2019s Foxconn, which assembles Apple iPhones and other products for tech companies, said Wednesday that Washington\u2019s dispute with China is over technology rather than trade.
Terry Gou\u2019s comments at an event celebrating the anniversary of Foxconn\u2019s first investment in mainland China follow Beijing\u2019s threat to scrap trade deals with Washington if President Trump\u2019s tariff hike on Chinese technology products goes ahead.
\u201cThis is not a trade conflict but rather a competition and comparison of technology,\u201d said Gou in a video shown in the event.
Foxconn Technology Group, also known as Hon Hai President Industry Co., is the world\u2019s biggest contract manufacturer of smartphones, computers and other technology products and is trying to develop its own brands.
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Gou said he planned to take part in a groundbreaking ceremony at the end of June for a $10 billion factory that Foxconn is set to build in Wisconsin, but he and other executives said nothing else about the company\u2019s plans there or other initiatives outside China.
The White House renewed its threat last week to impose 25 percent tariffs on Chinese technology-related goods in response to complaints Beijing steals or pressures foreign companies to hand over technology. It is due to release a list of products on June 15.
The Chinese government warned Sunday it would scrap deals to narrow its trade surplus with the United States by purchasing more American soybeans and other goods if Trump\u2019s tariffs went ahead.
In the video, Gou said the \u201cU. S. is significantly ahead of China\u201d in areas such as jet engines and semiconductors.
\u201cIf China is to catch up, allow me to speak frankly, it must be in the areas of manufacturing technology, design and manufacturing technology,\u201d he said. \u201cThey are the real economy.\u201d
Foxconn is trying to develop beyond its roots as a low-cost assembler of products and become an advanced manufacturer and bigger player in the global supply chain.
The company says its Wisconsin factory will make liquid crystal display panels for use in computers, TVs and self-driving cars.<\/p>\n

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