Taiwanese billionaire Terry Gou talks Foxconn investment during US visit
- Tycoon vague on whether hi-tech giant’s Wisconsin factory included in discussions with Washington officials
- Also attends White House Christmas party during 10-day trip
Foxconn’s billionaire founder Terry Gou Tai-ming met White House officials in Washington on Thursday to discuss the Taiwanese electronics company’s investments in the United States, as part of a 10-day trip to the country.
While the tycoon declined afterwards to talk about the atmosphere of the meeting, citing the “sensitive” period of time, he said the discussion included Washington’s desire for foreign investments in its manufacturing and hi-tech sectors, according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA).
“The US does things pretty efficiently, and we will make sure the US factories do well,” Gou said. “The whole world is the same in wanting to provide more job opportunities for their young people, and to ensure that farmers will have jobs in other industries after automation – these were all topics of discussion. Every place is the same in hoping to find more job opportunities, and [US President Donald] Trump is as well.”
Gou stepped down in June as chief of Foxconn, an Apple supplier and the world’s largest electronics contract manufacturer, but continues to have a seat on the company’s board. He met Trump in May to discuss Foxconn’s intended US$10 billion campus in Wisconsin that has struggled with early targets and hiring, with the company at one point reconsidering its investment plans.