In a Bloomberg column, former Financial Times reporter Patrick McGee argues that Apple's survival threat stems from its reliance on Chinese production lines, rather than American tariffs. His new book, Apple in China, elucidates the extent of Apple's increasing dependence on its largest geopolitical rival.

McGee points out that regardless of high tariffs imposed by the U.S. government on Chinese goods, Apple finds it exceedingly difficult to disengage from China. The book discusses Trump's presidency and his attempts to convince Apple to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., notably referencing a failed assembly plant in Texas.

The local Chinese governments have developed a comprehensive ecosystem that attracts Apple, making the company heavily reliant on Chinese manufacturing capabilities. Moreover, if the U.S.-China tech supply chain disentangles too quickly, it could provoke backlash from Beijing. McGee concludes that Apple must acknowledge its decisions over decades that have deeply integrated it into China's manufacturing landscape.