Hardware Podcasts

Episode 117: Talking Apple in China with Patrick McGee

The Circuit · 12 May 2025 · 46m · Episode 118

What this episode covers

Patrick McGee, author of 'Apple in China', explains how Apple’s massive investments and 'Apple squeeze' training programs inadvertently built China’s advanced electronics manufacturing sector, enabling companies like Foxconn, Luxshare, and TSMC to dominate the industry. He details the historical shift from outsourcing to China in 1996, the strategic partnership with Foxconn, and how Apple’s supply chain expertise was transferred to competitors, ultimately strengthening China’s position in EVs and semiconductors. McGee highlights the geopolitical risks of this concentration, including the vulnerability of relying on TSMC for advanced chips and the political leverage China now holds over Apple.

Most relevant to

large enterprises

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Apple, Foxconn, TSMC, Luxshare, BYD, Tesla
Products
iPhone, iPod, iMac
Also
Financial Times

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