<P> a deeply researched, critical exploration of the symbiotic and fraught relationship between Apple Inc. and China.</p> The book examines how Apple’s quest for global dominance and luxury branding led it to become inextricably tied to China’s manufacturing ecosystem, and how this partnership has shaped both Apple’s fortunes and China’s technological rise. Below are the major points, strengths, and weaknesses of the book as outlined in critical reviews and analyses.
Apple’s Strategic Bet on China
McGee’s central thesis is that Apple’s rise as a global luxury brand was only possible by concentrating its manufacturing in China, the only country able to provide the scale, speed, and low labor costs required for Apple’s ambitions12.
By 2015, Apple was investing $55 billion annually in China, and by 2018, had installed $18 billion worth of machinery in its suppliers’ factories. Apple also deployed its own engineers to train local workers, effectively transferring skills and production know-how to Chinese suppliers12.
This investment and knowledge transfer enabled the rise of Chinese smartphone brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo, which by 2014 captured 74% of the domestic market, up from 10% in 20091.
The Foxconn Factor
Foxconn, Apple’s primary manufacturing partner, became indispensable due to its ability to scale rapidly and navigate the political and labor climates of both Taiwan and China3. Apple’s heavy investment in Foxconn made it nearly impossible to replace, despite persistent reports of labor abuses and harsh working conditions342.
Attempts to diversify production to the US, Ireland, Mexico, or India largely failed or remain limited, reinforcing Apple’s dependence on China3.
Geopolitical and Ethical Dilemmas
Apple’s deep entanglement with China exposes it to manipulation and pressure from the Chinese government, which uses regulatory and market leverage to extract further concessions and investments from Apple32.
The book details Apple’s compliance with controversial government demands, such as removing certain apps from its Chinese App Store and storing Chinese user data locally, potentially granting authorities access to sensitive information42.
McGee argues that Apple’s focus on efficiency and scale led to compromises on its publicly stated values regarding privacy, freedom of expression, and human rights452.
Impact on China’s Technological Development
McGee contends that Apple’s presence was a catalyst for China’s technological leap, helping it become a global manufacturing and innovation powerhouse142.
The book draws striking comparisons, such as Apple’s investment in China surpassing the inflation-adjusted value of the Marshall Plan, suggesting Apple played a pivotal role in China’s economic transformation62.
However, some critics argue that McGee overstates Apple’s role, noting that China’s manufacturing prowess and supply chain sophistication were already advancing and that the relationship was mutually beneficial rather than one-sided6.
Narrative Style and Structure
The book is praised for its vivid, chronological storytelling, blending corporate biography, geopolitical analysis, and on-the-ground reporting52.
McGee provides detailed accounts of Apple’s internal deliberations, factory visits, and the evolution of its supply chain, giving readers an insider’s view of one of the most consequential business partnerships of the 21st century52.
Thorough Research and Access: McGee leverages interviews with hundreds of Apple executives and engineers, as well as internal documents, to construct a compelling and well-supported narrative62.
Balanced Perspective: While critical, the book acknowledges the complexities of Apple’s position, noting both the benefits brought to Chinese workers and the technological advancements enabled by the partnership2.
Geopolitical Insight: The book excels in situating Apple’s story within broader trends of globalization, technological transfer, and rising geopolitical tensions between the US and China52.
Clear Explanations: McGee’s writing is accessible and engaging, making complex supply chain and political dynamics understandable for a general audience527.
Overemphasis on Apple’s Agency: Some critics argue that McGee gives too much credit to Apple for China’s technological ascent, downplaying the agency and existing capabilities of Chinese manufacturers and the broader economic context6.
US-Centric Perspective: The narrative sometimes frames the story in a way that aligns with US anxieties about China’s rise, potentially oversimplifying the mutual dependencies and benefits of the relationship6.
Limited Solutions: While the book is strong in diagnosis, it offers fewer concrete suggestions for how Apple or other multinationals might realistically address the vulnerabilities and ethical quandaries of deep entanglement with authoritarian regimes32.
Ethical Complexity: The book’s portrayal of Apple’s ethical compromises is compelling but may not fully account for the difficult trade-offs facing any global company operating at scale in China42.
"Apple in China" stands out as a meticulously researched and incisive account of how Apple’s business decisions intertwined its fate with China’s economic and political trajectory. McGee’s work is lauded for its clarity, depth, and ability to illuminate the hidden costs and consequences of globalization. While some may find the book’s emphasis on Apple’s role in China’s rise overstated, it remains a vital read for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, geopolitics, and corporate ethics146.