China Ate Red Apple, author Sajjad Rasool investigates the intricate and often uncomfortable relationship between Apple Inc. and the People's Republic of China. This is more than a business story; it's a geopolitical thriller that reveals how Apple's pursuit of profit led to a deep, systemic entanglement with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The book peels back the “Designed in California” facade to expose the hidden factories, suppressed voices, and strategic compromises that define this co-dependent relationship. From Apple's near-bankruptcy in 1996 to its reliance on Foxconn and China's strategic reforms, Rasool argues that Apple's success inadvertently fueled the rise of a major technological and military rival. The book delves into the ethical costs, including allegations of human rights abuses, underage interns, and Uyghur forced labor, as well as Apple's compliance with Chinese censorship and data localization demands. As global tensions escalate, China Ate Red Apple explores the profound geopolitical risks of this dependency and the monumental challenges Apple faces in its attempts to diversify its supply chain. It serves as a vital exploration for anyone seeking to understand the true cost of our technological convenience and the complex interplay of global commerce, geopolitics, and human rights in the 21st century.
