Taiwan’s Foxconn chief hints at presidential run

CEO of Taiwan’s Foxconn Terry Gou speaks during a press conference at the company’s headquarters in Tucheng district, New Taipei City on March 12, 2019. AFP

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Tech giant Foxconn’s boss Terry Gou hinted Tuesday that he is considering running for president of Taiwan in elections early next year.

The 69-year-old said Monday that he would soon step back from frontline operations while remaining at the helm of the major Apple supplier.

But when asked by reporters Tuesday if he would run for president, he said: “I will have meetings today and hear (feedback). Hopefully we can talk about this tomorrow or later.”

Gou, a supporter of the Beijing-friendly opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party, said he would follow the party’s nomination procedure “if I were to join the KMT’s primary”.

“If (I were to) stand from the height of the president to ponder over Taiwan’s issues, I feel that peace, security, economy and future … are most important,” he said in comments aired by local tv channels.

Incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen, 62, of the Beijing-sceptic Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has declared she is seeking re-election in the January 11 elections.

She faces the challenge of pro-independence former Premier William Lai in the party’s primaries, and the DPP is set to announce its presidential candidate later this month.

Also known by its official name Hon Hai Precision Industry, Foxconn is the world’s biggest contract electronics maker and assembles Apple iPhones as well as parts and accessories for other international brands.

Known for his aggressive dealmaking, Gou has been snapping up investments from Japan to India in a bid to diversify from electronics assembly.

Last year, Gou appeared alongside US President Donald Trump at a groundbreaking ceremony for a cutting-edge factory in Wisconsin, backed by $4 billion in controversial tax breaks.

However, Foxconn announced earlier this year that it was re-assessing its $10 billion plan for the factory due to changing global market environment.

Asked Tuesday if he would tell Trump should he decide to run for president, Gou said: “Why would I tell my decision to the US president? He is not (among) my voters. My voters are Taiwanese compatriots. My priority is tell the voters my decision.”

Gou was born in 1950 in Taipei to Chinese immigrant parents who had fled the Communist victory in China’s civil war. He studied shipping management in college while supporting himself with part-time jobs.

Gou started his business in 1974 making television parts with an investment of Tw$100,000 ($3,250 at current exchange rate) from his mother, and later began producing computer parts — eventually growing to become the world’s biggest contract electronics maker. /ee