Apple asks suppliers in Taiwan to label products as made in China

(Taipei) -- Apple is asking Taiwan-based suppliers to label their products as being produced in China.

This comes in an effort to avoid disruption from strict Chinese customs inspections following House speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei.

According to Nikkei, Apple wants manufacturers on the island to label components bound for mainland China as made in 'Chinese Taipei' or 'Taiwan, China'. The labels are required in order to comply with a longstanding but previously unenforced rule that requires imported goods to suggest the island is part of the People's Republic of China.

The timing is sensitive for the company as its suppliers are preparing components that will go into its next iPhones and other new products set to launch this fall.