Countries prod firms to reduce dependence on China, but find few takers

The United States, Japan and France are prodding their companies to rely less on China to make the world's smartphones, drugs and other products.

But even after the coronavirus derailed trade, few want to leave China's skilled workforce and efficient suppliers of raw materials to move to other countries.

Disruptions from the pandemic, on top of the US-Chinese tariff war, fuelled warnings that relying too much on China leaves global companies vulnerable to costly breakdowns in the event of disasters or political conflict.

Drug makers stand out as one industry that is trying to reduce reliance on Chinese suppliers by setting up sources