The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway China Decode: Apple Doubles Down on China as Trump Blinks
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Mar 24, 2026 Apple’s deep dependence on China takes center stage, along with Beijing’s growing power to squeeze global companies. The conversation also explores Trump’s delayed Xi summit, China’s effort to cast itself as the steady hand in global turmoil, and a surprising museum boom that is reinventing the country’s image and influence.
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Apple’s China Dependence Limits Its Freedom
- Apple still depends heavily on China for revenue and manufacturing, so Beijing can force commercial concessions that shareholders cannot prevent.
- James Kynge says Apple cut China App Store fees to 25%, below U.S. levels, yet People’s Daily still demanded more and Tim Cook responded with conciliatory language in Beijing.
Apple Risks Falling Behind In China’s AI Race
- Apple’s China challenge is no longer just nationalism or pricing; it may be losing the AI layer that will define future smartphones.
- Alice Han notes Apple Intelligence still lacks China approval while Huawei, Xiaomi, Tencent, and others push on-device and agentic AI faster inside China’s market.
China Uses Iran Turmoil To Rebrand Itself
- Beijing is using the Iran crisis to cast itself as the stable power while portraying the U.S. as destabilizing and unreliable.
- James Kynge highlights Li Qiang calling China a "harbor of stability" and the central bank governor blaming a single sovereign currency system for global imbalances.
