Electronics maker Sharp is planning to shift production of personal computers from China to Vietnam for shipment to the United States. The move comes amid intensifying trade friction between Washington and Beijing.
Sources told NHK that Sharp plans to temporarily move its PC production to Taiwan before switching manufacturing to a new plant in Vietnam that is expected to start operation after October.
The company initially planned to make electronic components at the Vietnam factory. But it apparently changed the goods that would be produced in light of the continuing US-China trade friction.
According to NHK, Sharp is also considering shifting the production of multi-function office equipment shipped to the US from China to Thailand.
Mexico has also been under consideration as the company’s new manufacturing base for electronic blackboards that use liquid crystal panels. But the company is now reviewing its plan as the administration of US President Donald Trump threatens to slap tariffs on Mexico.