Apple eyes supply chain expansion in Vietnam

By Hoang Thuy May 18, 2022 | 05:25 am PT

Vietnam Prime Minister visits Apple's headquarters in California, the U.S, May 17, 2022, during his working trip to the U.S. and the United Nations. Photo by Nhat Bac

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, has appraised Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh about the U.S. tech giant’s interest in expanding its supply chain in Vietnam.

Apple will consider using more Vietnamese suppliers, as well as their parts and services in Apple’s products, Cook said during a meeting with PM Chinh in San Francisco on May 17.

He also expressed his hope that the Vietnamese government would provide more favorable policies to encourage U.S. high-tech enterprises to invest in the country.

Chinh affirmed Vietnam’s commitment too creating a fair and transparent market, as well as providing the best conditions for U.S. businesses and investors to operate in Vietnam.

He also recommended that Apple invests and develops its operation in Vietnam to help the country become one of its leading markets in Asia.

Apple is yet to have an assembly plant in Vietnam, but 31 Vietnam-based factories are producing parts for Apple’s partners.

PM Chinh also visited Intel Corporation, the world's largest semiconductor chip manufacturer by revenue with $1.5 billion in total investments in Vietnam, and internet giant Google.

He suggested that Intel invests in more Vietnamese localities, and affirmed that the country will give fair, balanced consideration to Intel’s investments and proposals.

He exhorted Google to support Vietnamese businesses in digital transformation, which would contribute to the country’s efforts to build a digital government, digital economy and digital society.

Google said it will aid Vietnam’s economic and digital development.

Chinh was in the U.S. on a week-long trip starting May 11 during which he attended the ASEAN-U.S. Special Summit and paid an official visit to the country.