Patrick McGee
@patrickmcgee.bsky.social
Author of Apple in China — called “jaw-dropping” by Jon Stewart, “astonishing” by The Telegraph and “devastatingly clear," "smart and comprehensive," "startling" and "meticulous" by the New York Times.
🇨🇦
🇨🇦
Pinned
Emerging from stealth mode to announce my upcoming book: Apple in China: the Capture of the World’s Greatest Company.
It’s the untold, 30-year story of how the tech giant tied its fortunes to America's biggest rival, transforming both company and country.
It’s the untold, 30-year story of how the tech giant tied its fortunes to America's biggest rival, transforming both company and country.
Reposted by Patrick McGee
I set out to understand why AIs love negative parallelism. The answer wasn't just surprising—it was illuminating. www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
The Most Famous AI Writing Tic Is Also the Most Mysterious
Why chatbots love “it’s not X, it’s Y”
www.theatlantic.com
July 12, 2026 at 7:02 PM
I set out to understand why AIs love negative parallelism. The answer wasn't just surprising—it was illuminating. www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Patrick McGee
As Apple celebrated its 50th anniversary last month with a private Paul McCartney concert at its California HQ, @patrickmcgee.bsky.social delved into the story of the iPhone-maker's rise to superstardom.
With the announcement of Apple's next CEO, don't miss this two-part series on #FTEdit 👇
With the announcement of Apple's next CEO, don't miss this two-part series on #FTEdit 👇
April 21, 2026 at 2:28 PM
As Apple celebrated its 50th anniversary last month with a private Paul McCartney concert at its California HQ, @patrickmcgee.bsky.social delved into the story of the iPhone-maker's rise to superstardom.
With the announcement of Apple's next CEO, don't miss this two-part series on #FTEdit 👇
With the announcement of Apple's next CEO, don't miss this two-part series on #FTEdit 👇
Reposted by Patrick McGee
If you were fortunate enough to read the extraordinary “Apple in China" by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social, then you will immediately recognize this piece as something that could only come from him. The absolute riches of being a subscriber to the @financialtimes.com!
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Apple at 50: how Asia fuelled its rise to the top
Japanese industry and Chinese manufacturing prowess played roles in the tech giant’s success, with consequences for both
giftarticle.ft.com
April 3, 2026 at 3:59 PM
If you were fortunate enough to read the extraordinary “Apple in China" by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social, then you will immediately recognize this piece as something that could only come from him. The absolute riches of being a subscriber to the @financialtimes.com!
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Reposted by Patrick McGee
Behind the star products, Apple's success has hinged on Japanese industry and Chinese manufacturing, with companies experiencing mirror-image trajectories based on how they fit into Apple's empire.
Today's Big Read is on #FTEdit 👉 Apple at 50: how Asia fuelled its rise to the top ft.trib.al/VGp4kdi
Today's Big Read is on #FTEdit 👉 Apple at 50: how Asia fuelled its rise to the top ft.trib.al/VGp4kdi
April 2, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Behind the star products, Apple's success has hinged on Japanese industry and Chinese manufacturing, with companies experiencing mirror-image trajectories based on how they fit into Apple's empire.
Today's Big Read is on #FTEdit 👉 Apple at 50: how Asia fuelled its rise to the top ft.trib.al/VGp4kdi
Today's Big Read is on #FTEdit 👉 Apple at 50: how Asia fuelled its rise to the top ft.trib.al/VGp4kdi
Reposted by Patrick McGee
Fantastic part two by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social which shows how Apple extracted knowhow from artisans in Japan through hardline IP, but how China is now evolving its role from manufacturing to innovation, aided by Apple. Industrial strategy in big waves
www.ft.com/content/95fd...
www.ft.com/content/95fd...
Apple at 50: how Asia fuelled its rise to the top
Japanese industry and Chinese manufacturing prowess played roles in the tech giant’s success, with consequences for both
www.ft.com
April 2, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Fantastic part two by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social which shows how Apple extracted knowhow from artisans in Japan through hardline IP, but how China is now evolving its role from manufacturing to innovation, aided by Apple. Industrial strategy in big waves
www.ft.com/content/95fd...
www.ft.com/content/95fd...
Reposted by Patrick McGee
I feel like I know the story of Apple at 50. Endless podcast pundits etc... The thing about @patrickmcgee.bsky.social is that he can find angles and stories about the most-written-about tech company that nobody else thinks of. Highly recommended (first 300 clicks free):
as.ft.com/r/014d4500-c...
as.ft.com/r/014d4500-c...
Apple at 50: the roots of a tech revolution
[FREE TO READ] How a little-known yet highly influential management course in postwar Japan paved the way for Steve Jobs’ obsession with quality
as.ft.com
April 1, 2026 at 8:44 AM
I feel like I know the story of Apple at 50. Endless podcast pundits etc... The thing about @patrickmcgee.bsky.social is that he can find angles and stories about the most-written-about tech company that nobody else thinks of. Highly recommended (first 300 clicks free):
as.ft.com/r/014d4500-c...
as.ft.com/r/014d4500-c...
Reposted by Patrick McGee
No exaggeration to say a judge holds Anthropic's future in his or her hands. This case could be a long, drawn out process, but if the judge feels Anthropic is likely to prevail, a stay preventing the order from being enforced would seem to be in order. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Anthropic Sues Defense Department Over Supply Chain Risk Label
Anthropic PBC sued the Defense Department for declaring that the artificial intelligence giant posed a risk to the US supply chain, after a dispute with the Pentagon over safeguards on the company’s t...
www.bloomberg.com
March 9, 2026 at 4:11 PM
No exaggeration to say a judge holds Anthropic's future in his or her hands. This case could be a long, drawn out process, but if the judge feels Anthropic is likely to prevail, a stay preventing the order from being enforced would seem to be in order. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Patrick McGee
For a while, Anthropic was the Lyft to OpenAI's Uber -- a company with a better reputation but ultimately doing the same thing.
Now the line dividing the two leading AI firms glows bright red.
My @opinion.bloomberg.com column this morning (🎁) : www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Now the line dividing the two leading AI firms glows bright red.
My @opinion.bloomberg.com column this morning (🎁) : www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
OpenAI Steps Over a Red Line Anthropic Refused to Cross
After announcing a sudden and surprising deal with the Pentagon, OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman moved quickly this weekend to show he had won meaningful concessions from military leaders.
www.bloomberg.com
March 2, 2026 at 3:18 PM
For a while, Anthropic was the Lyft to OpenAI's Uber -- a company with a better reputation but ultimately doing the same thing.
Now the line dividing the two leading AI firms glows bright red.
My @opinion.bloomberg.com column this morning (🎁) : www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Now the line dividing the two leading AI firms glows bright red.
My @opinion.bloomberg.com column this morning (🎁) : www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Patrick McGee
Quite an interesting choice: the Mandarin translation of “Apple in China: The Capture of the World's Greatest Company” by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social is among the many books bought by Taiwan’s President Lai at the opening of the 2025 Taipei Book Fair.
February 4, 2026 at 7:12 AM
Quite an interesting choice: the Mandarin translation of “Apple in China: The Capture of the World's Greatest Company” by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social is among the many books bought by Taiwan’s President Lai at the opening of the 2025 Taipei Book Fair.
Reposted by Patrick McGee
2. “Apple in China: The Capture of the World's Greatest Company” by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social.
I’m not generally a fan of business books, but this is an extraordinary and gripping story with major geopolitical implications.
I’m not generally a fan of business books, but this is an extraordinary and gripping story with major geopolitical implications.
January 29, 2026 at 4:06 PM
2. “Apple in China: The Capture of the World's Greatest Company” by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social.
I’m not generally a fan of business books, but this is an extraordinary and gripping story with major geopolitical implications.
I’m not generally a fan of business books, but this is an extraordinary and gripping story with major geopolitical implications.
Reposted by Patrick McGee
How has Apple become dependent on China to manufacture its products? To what extent has Apple shaped supply chains in China? In our latest episode @patrickmcgee.bsky.social and Jianggan Li answer questions of how interdependent China and Apple have become.
Listen here: omny.fm/shows/the-li...
Listen here: omny.fm/shows/the-li...
January 19, 2026 at 9:55 PM
How has Apple become dependent on China to manufacture its products? To what extent has Apple shaped supply chains in China? In our latest episode @patrickmcgee.bsky.social and Jianggan Li answer questions of how interdependent China and Apple have become.
Listen here: omny.fm/shows/the-li...
Listen here: omny.fm/shows/the-li...
Reposted by Patrick McGee
Apple in China by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social
I learned *so* much from this book, and enjoyed myself immensely in the process. You can't really ask for more than that in a book tbh.
www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Apple-...
I learned *so* much from this book, and enjoyed myself immensely in the process. You can't really ask for more than that in a book tbh.
www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Apple-...
Apple in China
*** THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER *** * WINNER OF THE SABEW BEST IN BUSINESS BOOK AWARDS 2025 FOR BUSINESS REPORTING * ‘Absolutely riveting’ Peter ...
www.simonandschuster.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Apple in China by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social
I learned *so* much from this book, and enjoyed myself immensely in the process. You can't really ask for more than that in a book tbh.
www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Apple-...
I learned *so* much from this book, and enjoyed myself immensely in the process. You can't really ask for more than that in a book tbh.
www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Apple-...
Reposted by Patrick McGee
Best China Books of 2025 @chinabooksreview.com: great list with @emilyzfeng.bsky.social Dan Wang @evadou.bsky.social @patrickmcgee.bsky.social Barbara Demick and others. I just ordered the book by Minxin Pei. Huge thanks to @vicshih.bsky.social for including me
chinabooksreview.com/2025/12/18/b...
chinabooksreview.com/2025/12/18/b...
Best China Books of 2025 | China Books Review
Identity issues. Migrant stories. Company profiles. Lost daughters. Daddy issues. Our annual round-up of notable books on or from China, nonfiction and literature, nominated by experts.
chinabooksreview.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Best China Books of 2025 @chinabooksreview.com: great list with @emilyzfeng.bsky.social Dan Wang @evadou.bsky.social @patrickmcgee.bsky.social Barbara Demick and others. I just ordered the book by Minxin Pei. Huge thanks to @vicshih.bsky.social for including me
chinabooksreview.com/2025/12/18/b...
chinabooksreview.com/2025/12/18/b...
Reposted by Patrick McGee
📚 Politics & Reportage winners 📚
GET IN by Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund
BETWEEN THE WAVES by @tommctague.bsky.social
BUCKLEY by Sam Tanenhaus
APPLE IN CHINA by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social
EMPIRE OF AI by @karenhao.bsky.social
GET IN by Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund
BETWEEN THE WAVES by @tommctague.bsky.social
BUCKLEY by Sam Tanenhaus
APPLE IN CHINA by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social
EMPIRE OF AI by @karenhao.bsky.social
December 17, 2025 at 1:15 PM
📚 Politics & Reportage winners 📚
GET IN by Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund
BETWEEN THE WAVES by @tommctague.bsky.social
BUCKLEY by Sam Tanenhaus
APPLE IN CHINA by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social
EMPIRE OF AI by @karenhao.bsky.social
GET IN by Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund
BETWEEN THE WAVES by @tommctague.bsky.social
BUCKLEY by Sam Tanenhaus
APPLE IN CHINA by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social
EMPIRE OF AI by @karenhao.bsky.social
Reposted by Patrick McGee
A good review by @michael-feinberg.bsky.social of Patrick McGee's book APPLE IN CHINA: THE CAPTURE OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST COMPANY, with some extra insights from Feinberg (given what his previous role at the FBI was):
Commerce and Moral Compromise in Contemporary China
A review of Patrick McGee, “Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company” (Scribner, 2025).
www.lawfaremedia.org
November 28, 2025 at 8:27 PM
A good review by @michael-feinberg.bsky.social of Patrick McGee's book APPLE IN CHINA: THE CAPTURE OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST COMPANY, with some extra insights from Feinberg (given what his previous role at the FBI was):
Reposted by Patrick McGee
For what it's worth, the very best books of 2025, in no particular order. Thank you @johnharris1969.bsky.social @stuartgillespie.bsky.social @duncanweldon.bsky.social @johncassidysays.bsky.social @patrickmcgee.bsky.social @jonawils.bsky.social
November 29, 2025 at 6:52 PM
For what it's worth, the very best books of 2025, in no particular order. Thank you @johnharris1969.bsky.social @stuartgillespie.bsky.social @duncanweldon.bsky.social @johncassidysays.bsky.social @patrickmcgee.bsky.social @jonawils.bsky.social
Reposted by Patrick McGee
Apple will ship about 243 million phones this year, compared to Samsung’s 235 million, according to CNBC.
https://sherwood.news/tech/apple-to-beat-samsung-in-smartphone-shipments-for-first-time-in-14-years/
https://sherwood.news/tech/apple-to-beat-samsung-in-smartphone-shipments-for-first-time-in-14-years/
Apple to beat Samsung in smartphone shipments for first time in 14 years
Apple will ship about 243 million phones this year, compared to Samsung’s 235 million, according to CNBC....
sherwood.news
November 26, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Apple will ship about 243 million phones this year, compared to Samsung’s 235 million, according to CNBC.
https://sherwood.news/tech/apple-to-beat-samsung-in-smartphone-shipments-for-first-time-in-14-years/
https://sherwood.news/tech/apple-to-beat-samsung-in-smartphone-shipments-for-first-time-in-14-years/
Reposted by Patrick McGee
Just finished “Apple in China” by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social – holy shit it was a brilliant read. A densely researched story of how Apple drove the rise of China’s tech industry and advanced manufacturing capability, creating a tonne of geopolitical risk in the process.
(Sent from my iPad.)
(Sent from my iPad.)
November 14, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Just finished “Apple in China” by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social – holy shit it was a brilliant read. A densely researched story of how Apple drove the rise of China’s tech industry and advanced manufacturing capability, creating a tonne of geopolitical risk in the process.
(Sent from my iPad.)
(Sent from my iPad.)
Reposted by Patrick McGee
On October 22 (Wed), I'll be talking to @patrickmcgee.bsky.social about his book on how Apple became inseparable with the Chinese market and factories. Come see us in person at @asiasociety.org! You can register below 👇🏻
Patrick McGee on Apple in China
Register now to hear Patrick McGee talk about the story of how Apple became dependent on China for its manufacturing, and what that means for China’s technology rivalry with the United States.
asiasociety.org
October 9, 2025 at 5:53 PM
On October 22 (Wed), I'll be talking to @patrickmcgee.bsky.social about his book on how Apple became inseparable with the Chinese market and factories. Come see us in person at @asiasociety.org! You can register below 👇🏻
Reposted by Patrick McGee
On Oct. 22, @chinabooksreview.com hosts a conversation with @patrickmcgee.bsky.social and @zeyiyang.bsky.social of @wired.com to discuss the story of how Apple tied its fortunes to America's biggest rival and how that transformed both company and country.
Patrick McGee on Apple in China
Register now to hear Patrick McGee talk about the story of how Apple became dependent on China for its manufacturing, and what that means for China’s technology rivalry with the United States.
asiasociety.org
October 7, 2025 at 9:33 PM
On Oct. 22, @chinabooksreview.com hosts a conversation with @patrickmcgee.bsky.social and @zeyiyang.bsky.social of @wired.com to discuss the story of how Apple tied its fortunes to America's biggest rival and how that transformed both company and country.
Reposted by Patrick McGee
Niet zo lang geleden betekende 'Made in China' vooral: goedkoop. Tegenwoordig staat het juist voor kwaliteit.
Een cruciale factor in China's tech-succes is, verrassend genoeg, het Amerikaanse megabedrijf Apple. Hoe dat zit, zie je hier:
Een cruciale factor in China's tech-succes is, verrassend genoeg, het Amerikaanse megabedrijf Apple. Hoe dat zit, zie je hier:
Hoe Apple van China een technologische supermacht maakte
YouTube video by Nieuwsuur
www.youtube.com
September 20, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Niet zo lang geleden betekende 'Made in China' vooral: goedkoop. Tegenwoordig staat het juist voor kwaliteit.
Een cruciale factor in China's tech-succes is, verrassend genoeg, het Amerikaanse megabedrijf Apple. Hoe dat zit, zie je hier:
Een cruciale factor in China's tech-succes is, verrassend genoeg, het Amerikaanse megabedrijf Apple. Hoe dat zit, zie je hier:
Reposted by Patrick McGee
I spent most of the day in the car listening to Apple In China by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social and it's wild how much money, talent, and intellectual property was shipped to China by Apple over the last few decades. Imagine if that had been spent here.
Highly recommend the book!
Highly recommend the book!
September 21, 2025 at 3:29 AM
I spent most of the day in the car listening to Apple In China by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social and it's wild how much money, talent, and intellectual property was shipped to China by Apple over the last few decades. Imagine if that had been spent here.
Highly recommend the book!
Highly recommend the book!
Fantastic piece: the Bluesky-ization of the American Left.
I envy how consistently good Noah’s writing is. @noahpinion.blogsky.venki.dev
open.substack.com/pub/noahpini...
I envy how consistently good Noah’s writing is. @noahpinion.blogsky.venki.dev
open.substack.com/pub/noahpini...
The Bluesky-ization of the American left
Progressives discovered a seemingly invincible weapon. One day it stopped working.
open.substack.com
September 13, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Fantastic piece: the Bluesky-ization of the American Left.
I envy how consistently good Noah’s writing is. @noahpinion.blogsky.venki.dev
open.substack.com/pub/noahpini...
I envy how consistently good Noah’s writing is. @noahpinion.blogsky.venki.dev
open.substack.com/pub/noahpini...
Reposted by Patrick McGee
Just finished the really excellent book "Apple in China", by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social - highly recommend!
www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Apple-...
www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Apple-...
Apple in China
*** THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER *** ‘Absolutely riveting’ Peter Frankopan, author of The Silk Roads‘Disturbing and enlightening’ Chris Miller, a...
www.simonandschuster.co.uk
September 1, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Just finished the really excellent book "Apple in China", by @patrickmcgee.bsky.social - highly recommend!
www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Apple-...
www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Apple-...