Do you think Trump's presidency will affect the hardware industry?

[W1zzard]

Do you think his agenda of bringing manufacturing jobs back to America will impact things such as PC hardware prices, availability, innovation?

How will Trump's stated opposition to the Trans Pacific Partnership affect the free flow and wide availability of hardware products?

The purpose of this debate is not to join a chorus of doomsayers and alarmists in the wake of the election results. We didn't take a position as a publication either way. We're more interested in trying to understand what you think will happen next for the tech industry, and get a nice, broader, somewhat-political discussion going.

 

[Caring1]

IF and that's a big if, he can persuade manufacturers to start producing goods in the U.S. prices will rise due to increased costs, such as wages, insurance etc.
Only increased import tariffs, subsidies for business and a wage freeze for the initial years could see it succeed.

 

[cadaveca]

It is impossible for such a shift to take place that is capable of meeting consumer demand within the span of Trump's current term. The logistical nightmare that would present itself in just creating factories needed to produce the goods that all of us buy on a nearly daily basis is so huge that in order to make this possible it would take such wealth that nearly no one person - or conglomerate - possesses within the US. Most of these companies are not even based in the US, and the engineers and such that are truly responsible for these devices are also not present in the US in large numbers, either.

There would be a need for all the tiny components, the raw materials to make those components, the factories for circuit boards, the metal and plastics manufacturing, heck, even the sand for the silicon needs to come from somewhere, and that place isn't inside the US.

 

[Nuckles56]

There is no way that any of this will bring back the manufacturing, unless Donald Trump can drive down the costs of manufacturing and wages so much the US becomes a third-world country, as the manufacturing industry will stay where it is cheapest.

 

[R-T-B]

You're talking about a man that threatened to "close the internet down with the help of Bill Gates." He's not exactly a tech-ally.

Hardware will continue to be produced as it always has been. I don't know whether as much of it will be produced here however... of what little was.

Either way, not much difference.

 

[Sasqui]

The purpose of this debate is not to join a chorus of doomsayers and alarmists in the wake of the election results. We didn't take a position as a publication either way. We're more interested in trying to understand what you think will happen next for the tech industry, and get a nice, broader, somewhat-political discussion going.

I like the caveat. We've moved to a global economy already, and the momentum is already in place. So anything that happens won't be for a while. If the new administration pushes out illegal immigrants, we're in trouble as a good part of the US economy relies on their hard labor now (many, many farmers rely on immigrants, both legit and illegal to harvest crops ...for instance).

America lost it's slave labor within it's borders over the past 100 years but it was effectively replaced by slave labor outside our borders to the south and overseas. That's where the jobs went, and it's probably going to skew that way more. So, it's not likely that consumer commodities (chips, video cards, motherboards) are going to magically start being made in the US where it will is and will be more expensive for decades to come.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

It's too early to tell. Trump wants to do a lot but Congress isn't exactly going to sway to his tune.


I can only think of three things that would impact hardware:
-Government modernization.
-Altering trade deals (NAFTA/TPP).
-Economic boom or bust due to his election.

 

[teema]

No, I don't think the hardware industry will be affected.

If the USD plummets, then buying new computer parts will be cheaper in Europe again, which would be nice. That's about all I can think of in terms of realistic changes.

 

[Vario]

USD Plummets in value making tech more expensive for Americans since it comes from Asia
Tech manufacturing won't work in this country unless we become a third world country in the process, you'd have to change labor laws, probably find domestic sources for precious minerals too.

Worst case:
Trump forces tech industry to develop domestic spying methods, this was talked about for counter terrorism earlier in the election with both Trump and Hillary advocating software backdoors for the FBI.
Trump decides to deport non white foreigners/immigrants/ non citizens/non native born from Silicon Valley
Trump seizes assets of prominent liberal tech companies

Just ask yourself what Putin might do.
Keep in mind, 8 member supreme court is ineffective, likely 9th will be far right, then you have the same Tea Party Senate and House.

So there isn't any check on executive power right now.

 

[64K]

Trump got elected President, not King. He can't bring back jobs to America by decree. There will have to be cooperation from Congress to enact laws/ tax cuts/ subsidies to businesses to make it favorable to manufacture in America. I don't see Trump pushing all of that through Congress.

 

[Vario]

Trump got elected President, not King. He can't bring back jobs to America by decree. There will have to be cooperation from Congress to enact laws/ tax cuts/ subsidies to businesses to make it favorable to manufacture in America. I don't see Trump pushing all of that through Congress.

His party controls Congress and will control the Supreme court once they make their appointment. Then you have things like Patriot Act and increases in the mandate of executive power from Bush and Obama's administrations.

On the flip side Trump presidency might be good for the defense / spy technology industry.

 

[erixx]

Anyway the main world MARKET is not US/EU based anymore, it is and is going to be more Asia...

Edit: Your question, W1zard, does not say "affect the *US* hardware industry", so guys, first question should be "Where IS the hardware industry, and then will Trump influence it" It this case, I don't think so...

 

[Vario]

Anyway the main world MARKET is not US/EU based anymore, it is and is going to be more Asia...

Also Trump campaigned on removal of military presence in SK and Japan, both centers of global technology/innovation.

 

[TheMailMan78]

It is impossible for such a shift to take place that is capable of meeting consumer demand within the span of Trump's current term. The logistical nightmare that would present itself in just creating factories needed to produce the goods that all of us buy on a nearly daily basis is so huge that in order to make this possible it would take such wealth that nearly no one person - or conglomerate - possesses within the US. Most of these companies are not even based in the US, and the engineers and such that are truly responsible for these devices are also not present in the US in large numbers, either.

There would be a need for all the tiny components, the raw materials to make those components, the factories for circuit boards, the metal and plastics manufacturing, heck, even the sand for the silicon needs to come from somewhere, and that place isn't inside the US.

Its true some industries such as mass produced tech "PCs, Tablets Phones" will mostly stay overseas for exactly why you said. Its not just price. Its logistics. What could happen is the US market will have a more fertile place for home grown innovation we already have a head start in such as alternative energies and I HOPE space. Even if we tackle steel production it will be better than nothing.

Will Trump have an effect on tech. Yes. Just not the tech we use on a personal level yet. It will be industrial. Remember America isn't known to make small things anymore. We make the machines China makes their products with. Only one that comes close to us in that arena is Germany and lets face it. We can do it just as good but cheaper. That's not a dig at Germany quality. Its just our labor laws don't have as high standards as your nation does. Its cheaper to build here and get the same quality. As a capitalist the choice is clear. Now if you guys keep importing cheap labor out of Syria........um taking in "refugees" that may change.

Do you think his agenda of bringing manufacturing jobs back to America will impact things such as PC hardware prices, availability, innovation?

How will Trump's stated opposition to the Trans Pacific Partnership affect the free flow and wide availability of hardware products?

The purpose of this debate is not to join a chorus of doomsayers and alarmists in the wake of the election results. We didn't take a position as a publication either way. We're more interested in trying to understand what you think will happen next for the tech industry, and get a nice, broader, somewhat-political discussion going.

W1zzard I know you're not trolling on purpose and this is a legit thread but, my god its a beautiful beast.

 

[erixx]

'Also Trump campaigned on removal of military presence in SK and Japan, both centers of global technology/innovation.' (Vario)

So indeed he could make the USA irrelevant more sooner than later... oh mamita mia... Many empires colapsed all by themselves... Just talking about computers (although hardware includes machinery, right?) it is all to easy to create a Silicon Valley anywhere. Today it has been proven again that with enough money to spend any individual can buy a country or university and a truckload of geniuses... go figure what a determinated one-party nation like China (par example) could achieve.

 

[the54thvoid]

a more fertile place for home grown innovation we already have a head start in such as alternative energies and I HOPE space.

Trump has stated he will aim to increase fossil fuel extraction and pull out of the Paris Climate Change Treaty, he isn't going green and that will badly affect US alternate energy investment.. This policy also suits the Republican right which has a lot invested in oil.

As for tech - no change. The market is dominated by the fabs and factories of Taiwan, Korea and China. If Trump, as threatened. imposes tariffs on Chinese imports, then China will retaliate. Trump's election talk has centered on isolationism which wont benefit it's technology industry at all.

 

[qubit]

The guy is a nightmare, so I can only presume that he'll have a negative effect on prices and innovation.

It also says something about the new president when the founder of TPU wants to have a political discussion related to him, when normally politics isn't allowed.

Just look at the racist trouble caused at his rallies in this uncensored video. I can't see how someone who incites this kind of hatred can be any good for the country or the world at large.

www.nytimes.com/2016/08/04/us/politics/donald-trump-supporters.html

 

[Smanci]

I'd imagine HW industry and investors all around the world are greatly confused and cautious about the US and Trump as he has mostly demonstrated inconsistency and unpredictability.

 

[TheMailMan78]

Trump has stated he will aim to increase fossil fuel extraction and pull out of the Paris Climate Change Treaty, he isn't going green and that will badly affect US alternate energy investment.. This policy also suits the Republican right which has a lot invested in oil.

As for tech - no change. The market is dominated by the fabs and factories of Taiwan, Korea and China. If Trump, as threatened. imposes tariffs on Chinese imports, then China will retaliate. Trump's election talk has centered on isolationism which wont benefit it's technology industry at all.

The Paris Climate Change Treaty was a joke. Pointless feel good crap. Let me know when China, Brazil, Mexico and India start doing something serious about Climate Change and Ill listen.

The guy is a nightmare, so I can only presume that he'll have a negative effect on prices and innovation.

It also says something about the new president when the founder of TPU wants to have a political discussion related to him, when normally politics isn't allowed.

Just look at the racist trouble caused at his rallies in this uncensored video. I can't see how someone who incites this kind of hatred can be any good for the country or the world at large.

www.nytimes.com/2016/08/04/us/politics/donald-trump-supporters.html

Qubit you understand they later admitted that most of the "disturbances" at his rallies were organize by some shady DNC insiders. Its on tape for S#!T sake! Look it up.

 

[the54thvoid]

The Paris Climate Change Treaty was a joke. Pointless feel good crap. Let me know when China, Brazil, Mexico and India start doing something serious about Climate Change and Ill listen.

Regardless, my point was to illustrate Trumps fossil fuel policy. Alternatives (aka Green) don't stoke his coals.

 

[TheMailMan78]

Regardless, my point was to illustrate Trumps fossil fuel policy. Alternatives (aka Green) don't stoke his coals.

There is a market for it. There is money to be made. Trump loves money so if there is a market it will grow. Government cant create market. It can only force agenda.

 

[qubit]

Qubit you understand they later admitted that most of the "disturbances" at his rallies were organize by some shady DNC insiders. Its on tape for S#!T sake!

No I didn't realize that. Fair point, but I still think it doesn't look too good given the kind of rhetoric he came out with.

 

[TheMailMan78]

No I didn't realize that. Fair point, but I still think it doesn't look too good given the kind of rhetoric he came out with.

My advice to you on Trump is wait and see. This dude just dropped a bomb on US politics. Its our version of Brexit. Washington DC needed some trolling and boy did they get one of the BEST!

 

[the54thvoid]

My advice to you on Trump is wait and see. This dude just dropped a bomb on US politics. Its our version of Brexit. Washington DC needed some trolling and boy did they get one of the BEST!

Are you Donald Trump?

 

[TheMailMan78]

Are you Donald Trump?

I'm making TPU great again.