[sneak]

> Given that, one would assume they are willing to take a hit in profit (by not selling & not cooperating) in places like Russia and China.

If Apple didn't cooperate with China, there would be no iPhones, and Apple wouldn't meaningfully exist. iPhones are nearly exclusively manufactured in China. All the chips in iPhones, iPads, and now the most important macs are exclusively manufactured immediately adjacent to China, in a territory claimed by China.

China is the iPhone.

[varjag]

Just say 'Taiwan' it's not hard. It's OK, HN is in America.

[sneak]

Taiwan is irrelevant to the point I'm making. As the Taiwanese people are acutely aware, if push comes to shove, that supply chain comes under the physical control of the CCP/PLA in single-digit hours (albeit in a nonfunctional state).

The CCP has veto power over the production of all iPhones and iPads (and soon Macs) in the whole world. This has little/nothing to do with Taiwan, other than their unfortunate proximity to China.

If Apple wants to continue existing in any meaningful form, they must presently do what the CCP wants.

This goes the same for selling their devices in any given jurisdiction, such as Russia, to keep this on topic for TFA.

[varjag]

Well you literally brought Taiwan into the point you were making.

(And no, Taiwan can not be taken in matter of hours).