475: Chapter 475 America's Obstruction!

After the Apple Inc. team left, Huang Tianya looked at the agreement and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"This move is truly excellent. Not only did we secure patent royalties, but we also managed to plant our own seeds within the Apple Inc. supply chain.

This will make it easier to popularize our standards in the future."

Liu Zhihong nodded, "In the future, our Full-screen Display standard will be the industry rule, and our ecosystem will be better able to propagate. However, the Android alliance is probably going to be even more panicked now."

While they were discussing this, Shen Fei just smiled!

"I've been playing along with their little charade for so long; my appetite isn't that small."

After saying this, he clenched his fist, which represented wanting it all!

...

On April 15th, Transsion's official Weibo account, along with social media platforms across major global regions, simultaneously released a brand-new announcement.

"Industrial Technology and Apple Inc. Reach Global Strategic Cooperation to Jointly Define Next-Generation Products"

It simply introduced the scope of the cooperation between both parties, without writing about how the negotiations went.

However, a photo was attached below showing Shen Fei and Philip Schiller shaking hands in a meeting room.

The smiles on their faces clearly indicated that this cooperation had gone very smoothly!

#Transsion and Apple Inc. Reach Strategic Cooperation#

"Am I seeing this right? Apple is using Transsion's technology? A tiny Taishan System—what right does it have?"

"It has the right because the current Taishan System requires the entire Android camp to unite to sanction it!"

"This is hilarious. A few days ago, someone in China was arguing with me, saying that Transsion wouldn't make it once they left the country. Those trolls didn't even think about where Transsion's home base is."

"After all, they are the little overlords of Africa and Southeast Asia—the kind that will beat you until you buy a phone if you don't!"

"Big brother above, please stop hitting, I'll buy it, okay? [Dog head jpg]"

Immediately following this, Transsion's contracted bloggers provided their interpretations.

Various hyperbolic and 'far ahead' sentiments instantly spread across all media.

...

At Google headquarters, after seeing this news, Sundar Pichai slammed his fist on the table once again.

The Android alliance had indeed made no progress these past few days; they had all just been arguing in the conference room.

Those partners kept demanding that he hand over the Google Services Framework, otherwise, they would refuse this cooperation.

Some even started threatening him by bringing up the evaluation of Taishan System again.

Sundar Pichai let out a long sigh. Was he really going to fall into Shen Fei's trap and have to hand over the Google security framework as well?

But he was so unwilling to do so.

...

Meanwhile, in Washington, United States, some people in the Department of Commerce building were extremely furious.

Especially Richard, the Assistant Secretary in charge of technology and security affairs.

He had already issued a warning to Cook yesterday, yet the other party still signed this 'servitude contract'!

Didn't he know what kind of impact this would have on the United States' technology sector?

It was truly a disgrace, a massive disgrace.

So, he immediately dialed Apple Inc.'s number and began issuing orders without any attempt to hide his intentions.

"Mr. Cook, you must give me an explanation!"

"You reached a deep cooperation with the Chinese company Transsion without undergoing a national security assessment, handing over the supply chain, orders, and patent licensing. Do you have any idea that Congress has exploded?

All predictions are saying that you have sold out the United States' technological interests, and they are going to impose sanctions on you and add high taxes!"

Cook raised his eyes, giving him a proper look.

The tax tactic was indeed a bit smarter than before, but still brainless.

They could increase taxes, but couldn't Cook get people to protest?

If this was something Transsion could do, why couldn't he do it too!

Cook continued, unconcerned: "Mr. Richard, Apple Inc. is a commercial company; our decisions are based on products and markets!

Cooperation with Transsion allows Apple Inc. to implement many advanced technologies a year early and maintain our high-end market share. This aligns with Apple Inc.'s interests and also aligns with the interests of the United States' technology sector.

After all, you wouldn't want to see the United States' technology sector fall completely behind China, leaving us to rely solely on low-end manufacturing to make a living, right?"

"Interests? You still know about interests?"

Richard became angrier as he spoke, even slapping the table repeatedly.

"Do you know that your so-called interests are just letting a Chinese company use Apple Inc.'s supply chain to grow bigger and bigger, in turn threatening the United States' technological hegemony?

Let me be blunt, Mr. Cook, this matter is more serious than you imagine. The White House's stance is that you must either terminate the cooperation or the Department of Commerce will initiate a national security review and directly freeze this transaction!"

Cook on the other end of the line went quiet for a moment; this was indeed more serious than he had imagined.

Richard also noticed Cook's compliance, so he didn't press further.

"Of course, if Apple Inc. voluntarily terminates the agreement and cooperates with us on publicity, the federal government can cover all breach of contract penalties."

Cook watched as the other party revealed their true colors, but didn't say much, just sat there quietly watching them put on a show!

It seemed these idiots hadn't obtained the actual contract yet; otherwise, they wouldn't dare spout such big talk!

And Richard was still there, performing to his heart's content!

"If Apple Inc. is willing to move its factories back, we can offer Apple Inc. three years of tax exemptions for its domestic production lines and promise an annual subsidy of no less than 1 billion U.S. dollars.

We don't have any ulterior motives; we have only one goal, which is that we cannot let Transsion rise to the top by stepping on the United States' technology sector!"

This combination of carrots and sticks, in Richard's view, gave Cook no reason to refuse!

After all, this was a plan the think tank had discussed last night!

The government helping with breach of contract penalties and providing subsidies—it saved face and didn't lose any interests; any company would agree to this.

As for the technical issues, wouldn't hiring more engineers with these subsidies solve it?

"The losses from terminating the cooperation cannot be recovered by this bit of subsidy money."

"Without their technology, our Full-screen Display version of Apple 6 would be delayed by at least 18 months, and the ecosystem adaptation time would be further extended to three years.

By the time these periods pass, Transsion's Full-screen Display products would have already flooded the world, and the entire high-end market would be captured by Transsion.

By then, our stock price would drop by at least 20%, and our market value would evaporate by at least 300 billion.

Mr. Secretary, it's a simple calculation; I still understand the consequences."

Cook said this very bluntly; everyone here was a businessman, so don't treat him like a fool!

Just as Richard was preparing to argue, Cook laughed instead!

"More importantly, your so-called sanctions have never held Transsion back."

"You..."

"Your so-called victories were nothing more than letting them sell off Motorola, while Lenovo took over at a high price.

To put it bluntly, if it weren't for that idiot, even the Motorola deal wouldn't have happened.

Instead, it actually made their industrial chain more and more complete!

Since 2008, in this technological hegemony struggle, the United States has already lost. Relying on their own technology, they have long since completed 'de-Americanization'.

Your so-called sanctions have served no purpose other than to let them continuously rise to the top by stepping on the United States!"