Apple, Other US Tech Firms Sign Letter Protesting India's PC Import Restrictions

Apple has joined a coalition of U.S. businesses in protest at India's sudden introduction of tech import restrictions last month, claiming the move will damage New Delhi's ambitions to become a global manufacturing hub and harm consumers (via Bloomberg).

apple india
In a letter sent to U.S. officials this week, eight American trade groups asked the government to urge India to reconsider the policy, which will see the country impose a new license requirement for technology imports from November 1, covering everything from laptops and tablets to servers and datacenter components.

India didn't give a reason for the change in rules, but the move is thought to be an effort to boost local manufacturing, forming another prong in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Made in India" campaign to encourage domestic manufacturing in the tech sector.

The trade groups said the move "could significantly disrupt trade, hamper efforts to more closely integrate India into global supply chains, and harm businesses and consumers in both countries," according to a joint memo seen by Bloomberg. The policy was originally meant to go into immediate effect earlier this month, until authorities granted affected companies a three-month reprieve for them to obtain the required licensing.

U.S. industry groups including the Information Technology Industry Council, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the Semiconductor Industry Association have objected to the planned licensing rules, which they say could impact the shipment of American-made computers and electronics into India, inhibit the free flow of goods, and complicate business operations for all countries involved.

"This potential will only be achieved if businesses have assurance about a predictable regulatory climate," said the letter, which was signed by Apple, Intel, and other U.S. companies involved in technology and manufacturing.

Tag: India

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Top Rated Comments

klasma Avatar
23 months ago

Who would buy a “made in India” PC?
Indians, presumably. There’s 1.4 billions of them.

They could call it iPC.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
norbinhouston Avatar
23 months ago
The same India that is supporting Russia while it wars with Ukraine?
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
k1121j Avatar
23 months ago
Time to make stuff elsewhere otherwise we are just financing their build up of manufacturing for India (just like China), ? build it up in the USA already and better start now it takes time to build up and generate talent. And yes it’s possible!
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
laptech Avatar
23 months ago
Just as with any world government, India will stab you in the back any opportunity they get. They open up the country to US tech companies to build manufacturing factories, once built and up and running then hit them with import restrictions.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
locovaca Avatar
23 months ago
Ah, yes, “we’re saying this for your benefit, India.”
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macintologist Avatar
23 months ago
Who would buy a “made in India” PC?
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)