'Taiwan's Trump' Foxconn Founder Announces Another Presidential Election Bid

Guo Taiming Announces Candidacy for Kuomintang Primary
Classified as Pro-China Figure Due to Business Growth in China
Nickname "Taiwan's Trump" Amid Controversial Remarks

Guo Taiming, the former chairman of Hon Hai Precision Industry Group, the largest partner of Apple and founder of Taiwan's Foxconn, announced that he will run as the Kuomintang (KMT) candidate in Taiwan's presidential election next January.

According to major foreign media on the 5th, Guo stated in a press conference after returning from a week-long visit to the United States that he would participate in the KMT primary, the main opposition party's candidate selection.

Guo Taiming Honghae Precision Industry Former Chairman

Guo said, "The only way to avoid war with China is to ease tensions between the U.S. and China and to remove the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan," adding, "We must inform the youth that voting for the DPP, which advocates Taiwan independence and harbors hatred toward China, is dangerous."

Guo, an entrepreneur who grew Foxconn into the world's largest electronics manufacturer, founded Hon Hai Plastics Company at the age of 24 with 100,000 Taiwan dollars (approximately 4.3 million KRW). In 1988, he established a Foxconn factory in Longhua, Buji, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China, marking his full entry into the IT industry. Foxconn rapidly grew by assembling products for global electronics companies based on China's cheap labor. While Guo amassed enormous wealth as his business thrived, he has been embroiled in controversies for impulsive remarks likening workers to animals, earning him the nickname "Taiwan's Trump."

Guo's political stance is classified as "pro-China." Although he holds Taiwanese nationality, his business has been based in mainland China, intertwining many interests with China.

Previously, in 2019, he joined the KMT and challenged the presidential primary but was defeated by Han Kuo-yu, the mayor of Kaohsiung, and withdrew. Even after his defeat, Guo insisted on running as an independent, which sparked strong backlash from KMT supporters.

Despite this setback, Guo appears to have decided to run again, judging that the ruling DPP's chances of retaining power are slim due to President Tsai Ing-wen's declining approval ratings.

However, seemingly aware of the scrutiny from his supporters regarding leaving the KMT, he reiterated, "If I receive the KMT nomination, I will devote all my efforts to uniting the camp beyond the green (DPP's party color) to win the 2024 presidential election."

The Taiwan presidential election is scheduled for January 13 next year. Currently, KMT candidates mentioned include party chairman Eric Chu and New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi.