The Daily Brief Can India build iPhones without China?
7 snips
Jul 11, 2025 India's ambitions to manufacture iPhones face significant hurdles due to its reliance on China and Foxconn's influence. The podcast delves into the complexities of global trade and the challenges developing nations confront while climbing the production ladder. It highlights how China's WTO membership reshaped trade dynamics, impacting countries like India and Ghana. Additionally, the discussion touches on global competition in tech, especially in chip production, as well as Tata Motors' challenges in the electric vehicle market.
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Foxconn's Chinese Worker Withdrawal
- Foxconn quietly withdrew 300 Chinese engineers from its Indian iPhone factories, raising operational concerns.
- These Chinese workers held key technical roles critical to setting up and running production lines.
China's Supply Chain Leverage
- China remains deeply embedded in Foxconn's supply chain and is leveraging this dependence strategically.
- China's actions exemplify how geopolitical rivalry can impact global manufacturing ecosystems.
Diversify Engineering Talent Sources
- Foxconn and Apple are diversifying engineering sources to lessen reliance on China.
- Indian production is expected to continue growing if it builds local capabilities steadily.