Republican vice presidential candidate Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance on Thursday apple Speaking on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” he said he believed the company benefited from “slave labor” in China. His comments were part of a broader discussion about taxing companies that rely on Chinese manufacturing.
“Do I think Apple is an evil company? No. Do I think they benefit from Chinese slave labor at times? Yes, that’s very disgusting,” Vance said. “I think a company that wants to benefit from the U.S. market should also pay U.S. workers a fair wage.” Apple will increase the starting wage for retail employees to $22 an hour in May 2022.
Apple has Said before It found no evidence of forced labor anywhere it operated. The company has been Former Chairman asked The Congressional-Executive Commission on China will work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection in 2021 to ensure that its supply chains are free of forced labor.
Apple did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.
The iPhone maker works with manufacturers that produce its devices overseas. Apple has historically relied on Chinese production. With tensions between the United States and China, the company has been working to diversify its supply chain by expanding manufacturing into countries such as Vietnam and India.
For example, Apple produced $14 billion worth of iPhones in India last fiscal year.
Vance also said Thursday that he wants to increase tariffs on companies that “move jobs overseas.” Former President Donald Trump threatened to impose additional tariffs of 60% to 100% on goods from China and a blanket tariff of 10% to 20% on imported goods.
Vance expressed support for FTC Chairwoman Lena Khan’s antitrust crackdown and tougher merger rules.
“When you have a company like Facebook Google “Censoring American citizens and making it harder for Americans to have a say in their own political process is a significant problem,” Vance said. “Yes, I do think there should be an antitrust solution.”
spokesman Yuan Google did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.
On Thursday, Vance will host two fundraisers in New York hosted by some of his top backers in the financial industry. Each event is expected to raise more than $1 million for Trump’s presidential campaign.
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