TCL founder and chairman Li Dongsheng said the company has no current plans to establish manufacturing operations in the US, calling the move economically unviable and lacking competitive advantage. He emphasized that TCL's global expansion is driven by long-term economic fundamentals rather than short-term policy changes.
TCL is a Chinese electronics conglomerate based in Huizhou, Guangdong. Its portfolio spans consumer electronics and home appliances, including TVs, smartphones, air conditioners, and washing machines.
In a March 23 interview at the China Development Forum, Li told the South China Morning Post that while the US remains TCL's largest overseas market for products like TVs, washing machines, and solar panels, "there is currently no competitive advantage for our industry to manufacture in the United States."
Li said TCL selects overseas factory sites based on local production efficiency and cost competitiveness. The US might be considered if it offered consistent tax rules and a competitive industrial policy, he added, but "it's too early to talk about that now. The constant shifts in US policy pose a major risk."
According to Chinese media including 21st Century Business Herald and The Beijing News, Li also discussed global manufacturing trends, stressing the difficulty of balancing production efficiency with equitable regional economic development.
Li encouraged Chinese firms to shift from pure product exports to collaborative global partnerships and joint ventures, aiming to build more resilient and mutually beneficial supply chains.
Article translated by Levi Li and edited by Jack Wu
