A special committee of the U.S. House of Representatives is investigating whether Apple cancelled Jon Stewart's show, 'The Problem With Jon Stewart,' due to concerns over commentary about China. The committee is concerned about the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on American artists and companies. The letter from the committee also raises concerns about Apple's reliance on Chinese manufacturing and urges the company to manufacture more products in the U.S. The committee emphasizes the importance of allowing creative professionals to freely express their views on CCP-related topics. Apple has not yet responded to the letter. The public is eagerly awaiting a response from Apple.
This investigation sheds light on the strained relations between Apple, China, and Taiwan. It highlights the challenges Apple faces in maintaining its business relationship with China, as the Chinese government has been issuing directives and facing criticism for its policies. Apple executives wanted final say over the content of Jon Stewart's show, leading to his decision to walk away. This situation comes at a time when Foxconn, a major manufacturer of Apple iPhones, has been subjected to tax inspections by Chinese authorities. These inspections come amid strained relations between China and Taiwan, with China claiming Taiwan as part of its territory. The strained relations have also resulted in economic repercussions, such as China banning certain agricultural products from Taiwan for import. It is interesting to note that Apple has announced plans to increase iPhone production in India, potentially diversifying its manufacturing base. Foxconn, the world's biggest iPhone assembler, reported a 4.6% decline in October revenue following an investigation launched by Beijing. The investigation in China includes tax audits and land use reviews of Foxconn, complicating Apple's position in its largest international market and production base. Investors are concerned about the iPhone's prospects in China, as the country's consumer economy is struggling and there is a technology conflict with the US. Additionally, Huawei's new smartphone with a made-in-China 5G processor has taken sales away from the iPhone. Foxconn has stated that it will cooperate with authorities. Separately, Taiwan is investigating suspected bribes connected to Foxconn founder Terry Gou's presidential campaign.
In a recent development, American comedian and writer Jon Stewart revealed that Apple had reservations about his cancelled talk show, 'The Problem With Jon Stewart.' Apple objected to him discussing artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential dangers on the show. Stewart questioned why Apple was afraid to have these conversations in the public sphere. He had planned to have Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan as a guest on his show, but Apple explicitly told him not to talk to her. The cancellation of Stewart's show reportedly stemmed from disagreements over show topics related to China and artificial intelligence. Apple has not yet commented on Stewart's accusations.
Adding to the complexity of Apple's situation, a recent opinion piece highlights that Tim Cook's belief that Apple could change China has backfired. The article notes that Apple developed electric vehicle battery technology with BYD, inadvertently strengthening BYD's global dominance. Apple is now entangled with the CCP's objectives, facing strict AI regulations that require the company to submit algorithms for government review. Historically, Apple has complied with Chinese demands, including storing iCloud data on state-owned servers. China accounts for one-fifth of Apple's sales and 95 percent of its iPhones, but iPhone sales in China fell 19 percent as consumers shifted to Huawei. The article warns that Cook's strategy of engagement has not changed China's system but has compromised Apple's values, suggesting that American companies may prioritize profits over principles, inadvertently empowering authoritarian regimes. [bb6ceab6][0f19bb25]