Isabel Mahe

"Cupertino understands that openly supporting Xi’s plan for tech supremacy is politically taboo. But Apple’s message in Chinese media is, if not wildly supportive of the effort, then at least in sync with it. When *China Daily* reporters met Isabel Mahe in 2023, they quoted her saying: “Apple is happy and willing to help the country’s transition to smart manufacturing.” It paraphrased her, saying: “Previously, smart manufacturing equipment in Apple’s supply chains came mainly from non-Chinese companies, but now such equipment of local origin has become more common.” Mahe, like Cook, has portrayed these partnerships as “win-win,” seemingly oblivious to a quip that goes back at least a decade: “In China, ‘win-win’ means China wins twice.”"

"Tim Cook’s obfuscations and omissions on the November 1 earnings call infuriated investors. The revenue warning he issued two months later caused Apple’s market value to fall $75 billion, and investors, led by the UK’s Norfolk county council, sued. When the case moved forward and lawyers for Norfolk asked that documents from “relevant” individuals be made available in discovery, Apple surprised the opposing lawyers by not including emails from Isabel Mahe. The plaintiffs thought they were onto something. They accused Apple of “attempting to unjustifiably circumscribe discovery” by excluding such an important individual. They demanded her inclusion, perplexed that Apple “somehow concluded” that the managing director of Greater China wasn’t relevant in a lawsuit concerning the economic conditions, sales, forecasts, and production of iPhones—*in China.*"