"World of DaaS" Patrick McGee - author of Apple in China – how Apple and China built each other
20 snips
Dec 2, 2025 
Patrick McGee, a Financial Times correspondent and author of *Apple in China*, dives deep into the intertwined fates of Apple and China. He discusses how Foxconn transformed under Apple's demands, the rise of black markets for iPhones, and how Apple inadvertently boosted Chinese tech giants like Huawei. Patrick also highlights regionalizing supply chains as a strategy over decoupling and shares insights on the complexities of U.S.-China relations. His take on practical advice provides a refreshing perspective on navigating today’s challenges.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Design Drove Manufacturing Revolution
- Apple prioritized imaginative product design over standardization, forcing novel manufacturing approaches.
- That shift required outsourcing and deep collaboration with partners like LG and later Foxconn.
Terry Guo's All-In Bet On Apple
- Terry Guo of Foxconn bet the company on learning to build Apple's products and won the contract.
- Foxconn then scaled rapidly and became a dominant global exporter and employer.
Yellow Cows Flood Apple Stores
- Early Apple Stores in China were overwhelmed and exploited by 'yellow cows' who scalped and distributed iPhones nationwide.
- Fraud and fake stores later sparked major political backlash and forced Apple to change policies.
