I don't understand your argument. I agree that Apple could move production back to the US and still be quite profitable. But wouldn't that mean that thousands of Chinese workers would be worse off?
That's not what I'm saying at all. Those are simply two options. The option to produce in the US is followed naturally from their own claims, and is countered by more lies and rationalizations.
Hippie: "Hey Apple, why don't you require that suppliers improve labor conditions in their factories?"
Apple response 1) "We can't pay Chinese workers what American workers make!"
Hippe: "Okay, fine, but I wasn't talking about wages. I was talking about labor conditions. Stop working people on ridiculously long shifts, doing the same thing day in, and day out, until they're maimed. Stop blacklisting people with valid complaints."
Apple response 2) "We can't raise wages, that would create a local aristocracy!"
Hippie: "Again, I'm not talking about wages, so long as they're livable in the region. I'm talking about labor conditions. Also, what exactly would be wrong with a local aristocracy? Management always says that a rising tide lifts all boats as it pays itself a healthy bonus, after all."
Hippie: "Okay, Apple, since you refuse to pursue reasonable working conditions in China, why don't you manufacture in the US, according to US standards of pay and treatment?"
Apple: "Oh, no, no, we couldn't do that! The US doesn't have the manufacturing ability. We need a fabrication facility next door to a glass facility!"
Hippie: "You have $100 billion. You can build both in, say, North Carolina."
Apple: "No, no, American workers don't have the work ethic that is necessary to produce Apple products. Besides, China educates the mid-level engineers that we need to manage factory floors."
Hippie: "By work ethic, you mean the ability to rouse 8,000 people from corporate housing and immediately put them to work on back-to-back 16 hour shifts, all because you couldn't get your engineering spec done in a reasonable time? And wasn't I just reading about how there are a large number of unemployed, middle-aged Americans who have experience managing factories floors, who can't find work because such factories no longer exist?"
