Apple CEO Tim Cook Touts Benefits of Globalization in China Speech

[MacRumors]

Apple CEO Tim Cook gave a talk on Saturday to attendees of the China Development Forum 2017, where he offered commentary on a range of issues including globalization, economics, and data privacy.

The annual forum is a high-profile conference in which senior Chinese government officials, global corporation leaders, institutions, and scholars gather to discuss major issues including Chinese economic reform and the country's relationship with the wider world. Other tech CEOs at this year's event included IBM's Ginni Rometty and Siemens' Joe Kaeser.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Cook chose to focus on the perceived merits of globalization during his speech, calling its impact on the world "great" in general, while noting the currently uneven distribution of its economic and cultural gains. Despite shortcomings – and amid calls from the Trump administration to direct investment inwardly – Cook encouraged China and other countries to bet on a future of more balanced development by opening themselves further to foreign investment.

"I think the worst thing would be to — because it didn't help everyone — is to say it's bad and do less of that," said Cook. "I think the reality is you can see that countries in the world... that isolate themselves, it's not good for their people."

In general, Cook's comments largely avoided sensitive Chinese political issues. On the subject of data privacy and cybersecurity, for example, Cook reiterated previous statements made about the importance of encryption to protect user information from state hackers and other bad actors. "We think that an individual should own their data and should be able to control their data," said Cook, while avoiding any explicit criticism of Chinese cybersecurity policy, which in its current form only serves to tighten state control over information flows and technology equipment within the country.

In contrast to outspoken political stands taken at home – such as last year's very public encryption battle with the FBI – the tone of Cook's comments reflected Apple's historically mindful approach to Sino relations, with the company having previously fallen foul of China's restrictive internet policies. Given Apple's ongoing efforts to crack China's booming smartphone market, combined with heavy investment in research and development facilities in the country, Cook's cautiousness aligns with Apple's strategy of sidestepping issues that could significantly damage future negotiations.

As part of his China trip, Tim Cook is also scheduled to speak with Xu Lin, director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, in a private meeting on Monday.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: Apple CEO Tim Cook Touts Benefits of Globalization in China Speech

 

[Adam Warlock]

What a loathsome coward Tim Cook is. Not only does he avoid going on about privacy to China, but he also completely forgets about his other favourite topics such as transgender rights, climate change, equality of women, open borders, etc. (Interested parties are encouraged to check out how those issues are dealt with in Cook's current favourite country.) How very strange! Why doesn't he open a 'dialogue' about these topics? How about pushing to 'educate' the Chinese government regarding these matters? Oh, right: because he's a hypocrite of the highest (or rather lowest) order and that stuff is only useful to sell his toys in this part of the world where it's currently in fashion. Globalization is good for Cook because it allows him to produce his crap cheaper and sell it in more parts of the world. That's not a benefit for the many IMO.

 

[cube]

It looks like he wants to be able to invest more in China.

 

[Telos101]

It's straight economics, not about Cook being a coward. What his approach really highlights are the benefits of U.S. liberty. Back home, Cook can speak about contentious issues without the explicit threat of the government closing down his business there. In China, the opposite is the case. Apple is a shareholder company, so if Cook was seen to be sabotaging its future business, he would no longer be in the position of CEO.

 

[jlasoon]

What a loathsome coward Tim Cook is. Not only does he avoid going on about privacy to China, but he also completely forgets about his other favourite topics such as transgender rights, climate change, equality of women, open borders, etc. (Interested parties are encouraged to check out how those issues are dealt with in Cook's current favourite country.) How very strange! Why doesn't he open a 'dialogue' about these topics? How about pushing to 'educate' the Chinese government regarding these matters? Oh, right: because he's a hypocrite of the highest (or rather lowest) order and that stuff is only useful to sell his toys in this part of the world where it's currently in fashion. Globalization is good for Cook because it allows him to produce his crap cheaper and sell it in more parts of the world. That's not a benefit for the many IMO.

This man is a complete joke!

You reap what you sow Tim.
[doublepost=1489836550][/doublepost]

It looks like he wants to be able to invest more in China.

Or better yet, needs access to modern day slave labor.

 

[AdonisSMU]

What a loathsome coward Tim Cook is. Not only does he avoid going on about privacy to China, but he also completely forgets about his other favourite topics such as transgender rights, climate change, equality of women, open borders, etc. (Interested parties are encouraged to check out how those issues are dealt with in Cook's current favourite country.) How very strange! Why doesn't he open a 'dialogue' about these topics? How about pushing to 'educate' the Chinese government regarding these matters? Oh, right: because he's a hypocrite of the highest (or rather lowest) order and that stuff is only useful to sell his toys in this part of the world where it's currently in fashion. Globalization is good for Cook because it allows him to produce his crap cheaper and sell it in more parts of the world. That's not a benefit for the many IMO.

What else was he suppose to do? Go to China and trash them when all the phones are made there and all the manufacturing is cheapest there for consumer electronics and Apple wants to continue to work with the Chinese etc. etc. They don't have laws that protect businesses from the government as it relates to free speech.

 

[Ramius]

Its been good to him but not for the thousans, perhaps millions of people who lost their jobs in his own country,

This is the typical argument we see for globalization. It only works well for those on top. And its easy to draw a flattering picture of it, because the top one percent enjoys the benefits and will gladly defend it.

Tim Cook is doing this. He is using his powerfull voice to fight the battle for the elite, against the public.

 

[Max Portakabin]

Cook's increasingly just a Wall Street stooge.

 

[cube]

I prefer to buy Lenovo.

 

[klrobinson999]

Globalization typically benefits only the corporations and Wall Street stockholders. The trade agreements and treaties over the past two decades haven't been friendly to workers or developing countries. All one needs to do is read Klein's "Shock Doctrine" to fully understand the turmoil it's caused; all in the name of free trade and the ugliness of the Chicago School of Economics.

 

[Mac32]

Says the guy whose company pays 0.005% in taxes. Disgusting.

 

[cardfan]

Its been good to him but not for the thousans, perhaps millions of people who lost their jobs in his own country,

This is the typical argument we see for globalization. It only works well for those on top. And its easy to draw a flattering picture of it, because the top one percent enjoys the benefits and will gladly defend it.

Tim Cook is doing this. He is using his powerfull voice to fight the battle for the elite, against the public.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-16/millions-of-manufacturing-jobs-could-go-unfilled

Over the next decade, 3.4 million manufacturing jobs are expected to become available as baby boomers retire and economic growth spurs work opportunities, according to a 2015 study by the Manufacturing Institute, a Washington-based think tank, and Deloitte LLC. But a skills gap could result in 2 million of those jobs staying unfilled.

 

[SoGood]

When faced with a swindler in the Whitehouse, good that Tim still has the big picture together and not get bullied.

 

[cube]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-16/millions-of-manufacturing-jobs-could-go-unfilled

Over the next decade, 3.4 million manufacturing jobs are expected to become available as baby boomers retire and economic growth spurs work opportunities, according to a 2015 study by the Manufacturing Institute, a Washington-based think tank, and Deloitte LLC. But a skills gap could result in 2 million of those jobs staying unfilled.

And what are people supposed to do DURING the next decade?

 

[0098386]

What else was he suppose to do? Go to China and trash them when all the phones are made there and all the manufacturing is cheapest there for consumer electronics and Apple wants to continue to work with the Chinese etc. etc. They don't have laws that protect businesses from the government as it relates to free speech.

Exactly, it's as if people want CEOs to behave like Trump. Tact, intelligence, understanding, are much more valuable.

 

[cardfan]

And what are people supposed to do DURING the next decade?

It's sort of now. For skilled people, jobs are there. Do you think unemployment is going to get better? It's at lows. There's always going to a be a portion of people who are unskilled and have a hard time. Apple can't help these people.

 

[cube]

It's sort of now. For skilled people, jobs are there. Do you think unemployment is going to get better? It's at lows. There's always going to a be a portion of people who are unskilled and have a hard time. Apple can't help these people.

Do you really think there are no skilled victims of greed?

 

[pickaxe]

What a loathsome coward Tim Cook is. (etc.)

Can't like your post twice, so I decided to quote it instead. It's exactly true. Globalists are opportunistic cowards. The guy can't separate politics and business when it's convenient, but when China or Saudi Arabia are involved, then suddenly he goes mute.

 

[Ramius]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-16/millions-of-manufacturing-jobs-could-go-unfilled

Over the next decade, 3.4 million manufacturing jobs are expected to become available as baby boomers retire and economic growth spurs work opportunities, according to a 2015 study by the Manufacturing Institute, a Washington-based think tank, and Deloitte LLC. But a skills gap could result in 2 million of those jobs staying unfilled.

Wonder how many millions are producing US good in China. Just in Foxconn alone theres 1,2 million people.

 

[brendu]

It's sort of now. For skilled people, jobs are there. Do you think unemployment is going to get better? It's at lows. There's always going to a be a portion of people who are unskilled and have a hard time. Apple can't help these people.

there are also hundreds of thousands of people who can work jobs and dont have skills but those skills are now unneeded and those people likely can't afford to go to school to learn another skill. Should we as a county ignore them or should we offer some sort of program for people who have lost jobs to get skills needed for new jobs? Apple could certainly get some these people jobs in one capacity or another. They could pay for employee training for anyone who has been unemployeed and actively seeking work. That is investing in the country that has given Apple so much. Their success is largely due to the economics and laws of the US.

 

[Cineplex]

At Event:

Tim Cook: We love your country's ability to give us low cost and exploitable labor. We love that your people were willing to sell organs to finance our products. We are very pleased that your culture is status drivin and you've made our products a symbol of status. We can't wait to exploit the people of India next. Visit Apple.cn to get the latest iPhone 7.

Question from the crowd: What about transgender rights here in China?

Tim Cook: That is just western absurdity. Choose iPhone and Apple Watch for a healthy lifestyle.

 

[jonnysods]

It's funny how people label Trump a fascist, and worse than Hitler but I don't see people going to jail for their views, or for saying they want him dead even.

Be interested to see those people float those ideas in China. Apples CEO won't even say anything.

 

[iSee]

Its been good to him but not for the thousans, perhaps millions of people who lost their jobs in his own country,

This is the typical argument we see for globalization. It only works well for those on top. And its easy to draw a flattering picture of it, because the top one percent enjoys the benefits and will gladly defend it.

Tim Cook is doing this. He is using his powerfull voice to fight the battle for the elite, against the public.

You are being sold a bill of goods on this.

Lowering the economic friction between two countries helps the economies of both. It's not a zero-sum game.

Meanwhile, an economic environment with dense borders, each with its own flavor of regulations (rules/tarrifs/beauracracies/quotas/etc) favors the big dogs because they are the only ones with the resources to navigate it at all.

The US is shamefully tilting the rules in favor of people at the top, but not through globalization. The domestic tax laws and unrestricted lobbying do that.

The billionaires are laughing their asses off eveytime some regular schmuck argues in their interests in the name of the little guy.

 

[MH01]

What a hypocrite. Avoids the social and privacy issues when it comes to China. The guy is a BS'er that only believes in $$$$$ .

I got respect for China , they know exactly where they stand and don't kiss anyone's ass unlike cook

 

[TheRealTVGuy]

Says the guy whose company pays 0.005% in taxes. Disgusting.

If that's what the law currently allows them to pay to legally satisfy their tax bill, then maybe it's time to look at changing the tax laws.