In this episode of Manifold, Steve Hsu interviews Patrick McGee, author of "Apple in China," about the intricate relationship between Apple and China's manufacturing capabilities. McGee details how Apple's partnership with Foxconn, and later other Chinese suppliers, facilitated the production of beautifully designed products at a global scale, emphasizing the transfer of technical knowledge and the unique role of Taiwanese companies in building China's electronics sector. The discussion explores the incentives for both Apple and the Chinese government, the challenges Apple faces in shifting its supply chain, and the rise of Chinese technological innovation, particularly Huawei, which is now rivaling Apple in innovation. McGee also shares insights from his book, including Apple's internal assessments of Huawei as a competitive threat, and a lawsuit against Apple for allegedly lying about Chinese demand.
