In this episode, Steve Eisman delves into the intricate and often overlooked story of Apple’s manufacturing evolution over the past two decades, focusing on its deep entanglement with China. Steve interviews Patrick McGee, author of ‘Apple in China,’ unraveling how Apple moved its production almost entirely to China by the end of 2010. The discussion explores Apple’s transition from localized production to heavily outsourcing manufacturing, the role of suppliers in driving these changes, and the geopolitical ramifications of Apple’s deep ties with China. The conversation highlights Tim Cook’s key role in this shift, the innovative prowess of Chinese manufacturers, and the operational challenges Apple faces in diversifying production away from China. The episode underscores the complex relationship between Apple and China, shedding light on the broader implications for U.S.-China relations and how the company’s reliance on China poses significant risks.
02:25 Apple's Manufacturing Journey in the 90s
05:54 Tim Cook's Impact on Apple's Manufacturing
07:18 The Long March to China
09:05 The Role of Contract Manufacturers
14:30 China's Manufacturing Ecosystem
18:32 Apple's Influence on China's Manufacturing
25:29 The Apple Squeeze and Its Implications
26:56 Apple's Talent Migration to Competitors
27:24 Xi Jinping's Impact on Apple in China
27:44 Apple's Rapid Growth in China
28:51 Apple's Struggles with Chinese Regulations
30:00 Apple's Strategy to Win Over China
33:05 The Rise of Chinese Competitors
39:51 Challenges of Manufacturing Outside China
45:02 Apple's Political and Economic Bind
46:17 Concluding Thoughts on Apple's China Dilemma
You can find more about Patrick McGee's work here: https://patrick-mcgee.com/
"Apple CEO Tim Cook" by deerkoski is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
"Tim Cook with Chongqing Mayor Huang in Apple Jiefangbei" by Junyi Lou is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Copyright ©2025 Steve Eisman
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