Michal Marek When people ask why the iPad and other products are not made in the US but in China, the usual argument is that it would be expensive. In the United States, it is said that it is not possible to produce an iPad for a price below 1000 dollars. However, assembling the iPad itself is only a fraction of the manufacturing process. Could the price really double?
I would not say. But there's another reason to make the iPad in China. It can be found in the periodic table of elements. Each iPad contains a significant amount of specific metals that can only be mined in China. That's why it's so complicated to manufacture the iPad and other similar devices anywhere outside of the Asian powerhouse. China actually controls the mining of seventeen rare mineable elements that are necessary to build many devices. For the iPad, these elements are necessary in the manufacture of its battery, display or magnets, which are used by the Smart Cover.
Can't Apple get these metals any other way? Probably not. At best 5% of the world's reserves of these metals can be found outside of China, and companies that plan to mine in America and Australia will not be able to cover Apple's needs for a long time. Another problem is the very difficult recycling of these precious metals.
Why doesn't Apple just import these metals from China? The state naturally protects its monopoly and uses it. The fact that it is Apple that has its devices manufactured in China, however, primarily benefits the workers there. Apple strictly monitors its suppliers, especially the working conditions in factories, where it applies a much higher standard than most other companies. After all, further improvement of the quality of life of employees is currently being worked on as a result of an independent investigation, which was instigated by its by false reporting by Mike Daisey.
US President Barack Obama also expressed his concerns about the situation surrounding the Chinese monopoly of rare elements. He objected to the policy of rare earth metals in China and presented his arguments to the World Trade Organization, however, specialists believe that before the change of policy takes place, it would be meaningless, since by then more production will be moved to the incriminated country. Rare earth metals include neodymium, scandium, europium, lanthanum and ytterbium. They are mostly accompanied by uranium and thorium, which is why their extraction is dangerous.
Well, this is a really interesting article ;) I applaud.
Interesting good article
So e.g. Nike and other footwear (manufacturing) is there for similar reasons? I don't think this is the "real reason." It's still the same overall cost/labor. Another thing is that the export restrictions are a relatively recent thing, but Apple's factories have been there for a while. Etc. etc. Just my opinion….
Have a nice day
Total bullshit….
it's stupid, China does limit the export of metal, but at the present time it's the quantities that allow to export far more than what is in demand
in other words, as if there were no restrictions
It is made in China because, on the one hand, companies there are able to respond quickly to the demands of the customer (Apple), have lower costs, and above all, everyone else in the industry is there, so parts do not have to be transported from factories all over the world to the USA and back. that would also make up most of the cost of the $1000 price if the production moved (or it would take X months more than it would take a cheap container ship from China to America]
The phrase "I wouldn't say." suggests that this is probably a consideration. That's why this article combined with the title "The real reason" reminds me of some kind of tabloid, and when I read it, I'm a little ashamed of the author.
It probably won't be the main reason, but it's definitely an obligation. production is cheap there for a million other reasons, but customs and taxes and many economic elements are involved. it is certainly easier to import ready-made boxes from the factory than all the other parts. but even with these metals it's still Chinese crap.
Since elementary school, I've been allergic to thinking "I wouldn't say, probably not" + let's ask a question and think, ugh. But it doesn't matter, because first of all, it's quite ridiculous to write such a post at a time when the nuts are picked in America, transported to Thailand for packaging and then sold in Europe.
Hmmm. precious metals are not in electronics by the ton, so restrictions on exports from China do not play a role.
So you are quite unlucky or is it just the glue that is written about when it dries after a few days and the stains disappear
Otherwise agree with the author. In addition, he does not write about the main reason, but only one of many.