how much of the value chain was actually in the US back then, and, how much could feasibly move to the US?
Even in the 90s, major components were made in Taiwan and Japan. And since that time, the US ability to make what we did previously has atrophied
What do we really get out of Dell moving PC manufacturing to the US if every single part they consume was manufactured in China or Taiwan? Final assembly is the lowest value part of the equation. Apple already did this shell game with the Mac Pro a few years ago and it didn't last long nor did it have a meaningful impact on anything other than the price of the product
Even in the 90s, major components were made in Taiwan and Japan. And since that time, the US ability to make what we did previously has atrophied
What do we really get out of Dell moving PC manufacturing to the US if every single part they consume was manufactured in China or Taiwan? Final assembly is the lowest value part of the equation. Apple already did this shell game with the Mac Pro a few years ago and it didn't last long nor did it have a meaningful impact on anything other than the price of the product