Awkward questions? Really? It’s clear what happened, Apple bought continued access to Chinese markets.
It’s now in the open, but Apple will do it again when required. So, what’s the question?
You read much?
Like wtf is this: “....to help Chinese manufacturers develop “the most advanced manufacturing technologies....”
Leave it to Apple and the Apple fanbois that inhabit FR....../s
Not to excuse Cook, but some background needs to be considered.
The deal was in 2016 when China was a grey zone kinds country, opening up to the west and free enterprise seemed to be just around the corner. Everyone was cutting deals with the Chinese government of the time.
But then, XI Jinping rose to the top of the CCP, declared himself Emperor for Life, murdered or imprisoned as many enemies as possible, completely took over all businesses in China, begun military adventurism etc.
The China of 2016 is not the China of 2021