Apple’s China story is more than a business case — it’s a mirror of globalization itself.
In this eye-opening conversation, Patrick McGee, Financial Times journalist and author of Apple in China, sits down with Pankaj to explore how Apple’s greatest triumph became its biggest challenge.
💬 In this episode:
How Apple helped build modern China
The lessons India must learn as it becomes Apple’s next manufacturing hub
The trade-offs between innovation, control, and national interests
What this means for founders, investors, and policymakers shaping India’s tech future
A conversation for those who think beyond valuations — about strategy, sovereignty, and the soul of global business.
📌 Episode Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
01:11 – Why Patrick Wrote Apple in China
03:33 – How Apple Ended Up in China
06:25 – Researching the Untold Story
08:21 – The Three Phases of Apple in China
11:03 – Lessons for Founders on Supply Chains
12:26 – The ‘Siren Song’ of China
13:13 – Apple’s Moral Dilemmas and Trade-offs
16:27 – Innovation, Arrogance & Plateau
19:04 – The Economics of Dependence
22:27 – What Can India Learn from China?
23:53 – Why Does Apple Need India?
25:45 – Are iPhones Made in India?
26:55 – The Future of Globalization & Supply Chains
31:31 – Why Should You Read Apple in China
