Patrick McGee: Apple in China
What happens when one of the world’s most powerful companies finds itself caught between two superpowers? And what does it mean for the broader tech industry?
Through in-depth reporting and more than 200 interviews with former Apple executives and engineers, journalist Patrick McGee uncovers what he says is the untold story of how Apple’s offshoring strategy helped China rise as the world’s leading electronics manufacturing hub—but also left Apple increasingly vulnerable. Now, as Beijing tightens its grip, demanding greater control over data, production and supply chains, Apple is facing a crisis that could redefine its future.
McGee has reported from financial hubs around the world, from Frankfurt to Hong Kong. Now, as the San Francisco correspondent for the Financial Times, he joins Commonwealth Club World Affairs to discuss the issues raised in his new book Apple in China. He’ll unpack the increasingly fraught relationship between Apple and China—a relationship with profound implications not only for the tech giant but for the future of global technology and geopolitics.
Join us for this timely and thought-provoking conversation about Apple’s uncertain future, the shifting balance of power in the tech world, and the far-reaching consequences for global innovation and economic stability.
Photo by Cayce Clifford.
Commonwealth Club World Affairs is a public forum. Any views expressed in our programs are those of the speakers and not of Commonwealth Club World Affairs.

Patrick McGee
San Francisco Correspondent, Financial Times; Author, Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company

In Conversation with John Ford
Former General Manager for Apple Store in China