In major shift, Apple explores moving up to 25% of production out of China amid trade tensions

**Washington Post**: Apple Inc. is looking at moving up to a quarter of production out of China, a shift that would mark one of the most significant changes to its manufacturing operations in recent history, according to people briefed on the matter.<br><br>The company has asked some of its suppliers to look at producing certain Apple products in places like Southeast Asia or India. The request indicates that Apple wants to build up its manufacturing capabilities outside of China, where **trade tensions and the COVID-19 pandemic have heightened concerns about the risks of relying on a single region**.<br><br>Apple hasn't given a specific deadline for shifting manufacturing, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are still private. **In the short term, however, the company is likely to continue relying on China for the vast majority of its contract manufacturing**, particularly for products like the iPhone, where the supply chain infrastructure is already well-established.