A forthcoming book titled Apple in China aims to explore how a once-sound decision from 1996 has left the tech giant vulnerable to the decisions of an authoritarian government.
With the subtitle “the capture of the world’s greatest company,” the book includes insights from over 200 former Apple executives and engineers, serving as both a historical overview and a warning for the future…
We’ve consistently highlighted Apple’s deteriorating relationship with China.
To begin, there is the inherent risk of relying heavily on any single country. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in China, significantly affected manufacturing capabilities. Disruptions can arise from natural disasters or political instability, making it prudent to diversify manufacturing facilities globally.
Secondly, the US-China relationship has historically been tense. The trade war initiated by the Trump administration marked a particularly challenging chapter, and ongoing conflicts pose continued risks for trade disruptions between the two nations.
Lastly, Apple’s close ties with a country that has worsening human rights issues harm its reputation, particularly when the company must adhere to local laws that often contradict its own principles.
Authored by a journalist from the Financial Times and set for release by Simon & Schuster in May, Apple in China aims to unveil the “untold story” through extensive interviews with numerous insiders from the company.
For fans of Walter Isaacson’s Steve Jobs and Chris Miller’s Chip War, this book offers a captivating examination of how Apple contributed to China’s rise in electronics manufacturing, only to find itself ensnared in a complex relationship with a demanding authoritarian regime.
Apple transcends being just a brand; it stands as the world’s most valuable company and creator of revolutionary products in the twenty-first century. The iPhone has transformed everyday life, work, and communication. However, Apple now finds itself ensnared amidst a new Cold War between superpowers.
In 1996, on the verge of bankruptcy, Apple adopted a strategy to outsource manufacturing. After trials in several countries, the majority of its production was drawn to China by the allure of cheap and plentiful labor. The successes of the iPod and iPhone not only revived Apple’s fortunes but also empowered Chinese manufacturers with skills that Beijing is now utilizing strategically against the West.
Apple in China presents a sometimes unsettling, yet always insightful account of how a vocal company that once championed “rebels” and “troublemakers”—the very entity that encouraged us to “Think Different”—has gradually become a quiet, compliant partner to an increasingly assertive regime that determines its destiny.
Early copies have been distributed to several acclaimed business authors, who have offered high praise.
“An extraordinary story, expertly told.”
—Peter Frankopan, Professor of Global History at Oxford and bestselling author of Silk Roads
“To label this book a page-turner undersells its significance. It is a once-in-a-generation read.”
—Robert D. Kaplan, author of the New York Times bestseller The Revenge of Geography
“Thoroughly researched, alarming, and enlightening.”
—Chris Miller, New York Times bestselling author of Chip War
“McGee reveals how Apple’s pursuit of wealth and influence in China might ultimately lead to the downfall of both the company and America’s quest for technological dominance.”
—Rana Foroohar, author of Makers and Takers: The Rise of Finance and the Fall of American Business
“A masterful and meticulously reported account of how Apple won over China but lost its essence.”
—Isaac Stone Fish, author of America Second
“Every iPhone user will find this book essential, but no Apple employee will want to be seen with it.”
—Geoffrey Cain, author of Samsung Rising and The Perfect Police State
Apple in China is scheduled to hit shelves on May 13 and is available for pre-order now.
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