work for the companies.
Even more so, a source from one of the biggest subcontractors that SpaceX uses for the construction of the Starlink Satelite for Internet, reported that they were asked to produce their components and products outside of Taiwan. The reasoning for this request is geopolitical risks, one of the subcontractors is being encouraged to move its production to Vietnam.
Reuters also reported that a secondary source that collaborates with the Taiwanese satellite component maker from the island said that suppliers were asked directly to transfer their manufacturing to another country.
A satellite component maker that worked as a SpaceX supplier named Chin-Poon Industrial talked to Reuters and said that Chin-Poon Industrial was asked to move from Taiwan to Thailand “mostly due to geopolitical considerations”.
Those requests also come as a response to Elon Musk and its relationship with Taiwan, even more so after Elon Musk said last year that it is an “integral part” of China. As a result, he received criticism from the Taiwanese government.
Over the past five years, China has staged nearly daily military drills in Taiwan, yet, Taiwan refuses Chaina sovereignty claims. Since 2022, Chaine has increased the number of drills, which led to the disruption of their supply chain.
Taiwan’s economy minister was contacted by Reuters, reporting that “Short-term political factors should not affect the supply chain relationship between international satellite companies and Taiwan manufacturers.".
Wistron NeWeb Corporation, one of SpaceX's manufacturers and suppliers, originally started in Taiwan and moved its operating centers to Vietnam this year to produce network gear. WNC's shift and expansion to Vietnam are mostly due to SpaceX's influence.
WNC did not engage in comments, saying that In the face of geopolitical risks and ever-changing customer requirements, WNC has continued to expand its global manufacturing capabilities".
Another company that provides SpaceX with components named Universal Microwave Technology, invested this year in a company located in Vietnam. Universal. Microwave Technology declined comments on the subject, talking instead about the expansion of the company “The planning of overseas production capacity will help customers reduce their doubts about geographical risks, gain customer recognition, and increase the breadth of cooperation with customers,”.
Reuters also reported that Vietnam’s government mentioned that in September SpaceX talked about investing $1.5 billion in their country, not knowing the timing or the purpose.
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