TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The chairman of Acer (宏碁) announced Thursday (Nov. 28) that the company will closely monitor U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariff hike policy, emphasizing the need for swift responses. Trump recently declared plans to raise tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico by 25% and China by 10%, starting his first day in office.
Acer Chairman Jason Chen (陳俊聖) highlighted that the company's approach to supply chain restructuring differs from others. Acer focuses on a short-chain strategy: situating production closer to markets and reducing reliance on China. He noted that with over 50 days until Trump's inauguration, predicting and preparing for potential policy changes holds little significance.
Chen stated that Acer collaborates strongly with its Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) partners. If local OEMs are unavailable, Acer establishes its factories in India and Indonesia to address tariff challenges and evolving market demands. He admitted that Acer had considered tariff strategies before Trump's election, and his impending presidency has made the issue more pressing.