Of course, this video is from before Apple started moving manufacturing to other countries like India. Cook said that the common misconception of cheap Chinese labor had long become outdated. He went on to say that the main reason companies were choosing China was because of the “quantity of skill in one location”.
Some people straight up said that Cook was lying. Others agreed, while adding that they — the U.S. in this case — had fallen behind China. More yet pointed out how today Apple had moved manufacturing to other countries that also provided cheap manufacturing.
Most iPhones made in India were sold locally. | Image credit — PhoneArena
There’s also been talk of how major companies moving to China resulted in corporate espionage. To put it mildly, the accusation goes like this: Western companies gave China an advantage in tech just to make a quick buck.
Musk’s response probably didn’t help matters given the controversy that surrounds him. I did find it interesting though, how old footage like this can still spark divisive debate today.
We’ll have to see if Apple really does need China for its skill set, especially now that iPhones are being banned in certain places within China for cybersecurity.