Inside Apple’s China: Secrets, Supply Chains, and Geopolitics with Patrick McGee

In this episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, hosts Chad Sowash and Joel Cheesman interview Patrick McGee, a former Financial Times reporter and author of Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company.

The discussion delves into McGee’s book, which explores Apple’s transformative relationship with China, its massive investments, and the unintended consequences for global tech and geopolitics.

The interview covers McGee’s research process, Apple’s control over its narrative, the scale of its investments in China, and the broader implications for manufacturing, workforce development and U.S.-China relations.

Timeline

Just give me the main bullet points, without the Key Points and Key Points

McGee’s Background (00:29–02:08): McGee’s Financial Times reporting in Hong Kong, Germany, and on Apple shaped Apple in China, focusing on China’s authoritarianism, supply chains, and Apple’s operations.

Research Process (02:08–05:00): Over 200 interviews and 1,000+ pages of unreported Apple documents reveal novel insights into manufacturing, bypassing Apple’s product-focused narrative.

Apple’s Narrative Control (05:00–08:31): Apple steers media toward product features, obscuring key figures like Isabel Gamahi and critical China operations.

Apple’s Investment (2013–2016) (08:31–15:16): Beijing’s 2013 media attacks led to a $55 billion annual investment by 2015, with Cook’s $275 billion pledge in 2016, likened to double the Marshall Plan.

China’s Workforce (Pre-2016) (15:16–17:08): Apple trained 28 million workers, enabling competitors like Huawei, with China realizing this impact in 2016.

Apple vs. Other Tech (Pre-2016) (17:08–20:11): As a hardware company, Apple followed other electronics firms to China, unlike content-focused Google, Amazon, and Facebook.

U.S. Oversight (2016–Present) (20:11–24:32): U.S. was unaware of Apple’s investments; Apple’s training model could inspire U.S. vocational revival.

Automation Challenges (Present) (24:32–30:06): China’s dominance in materials and robotics makes U.S. onshoring unlikely; tariffs disrupt without solutions.

Vocational Training (Present) (30:06–33:58): Apple’s China training, akin to Germany’s system, empowered Chinese firms; U.S. could adopt similar models.

Geopolitical Outlook (Present–2025) (33:58–39:02): India’s role is limited; China’s manufacturing dominance persists, with Apple’s AI lag adding risk.

EVs and China’s Lead (2019–Present) (39:02–42:46): Tesla’s 2019 operations boosted China’s EV dominance; West struggles with battery supply chain control.

Book Promotion (42:46–43:37): Apple in China available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Apple Books; appleinchina.com offers more details.