Apple CEO Tim Cook Receives Warning from CIA About Potential Taiwan Invasion in 2027

In the summer of 2023, top tech executives including Apple CEO Tim Cook were briefed by the CIA about the potential of China invading Taiwan by 2027, as reported by The New York Times. The meeting, held in Silicon Valley, included Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, AMD CEO Lisa Su, and Qualcomm head Cristiano Amon joining via video conference.

During the briefing, CIA leaders shared intelligence on China’s military plans for Taiwan, leaving Cook cautious and vigilant. This information aligned with public statements made by US military officials in previous years, indicating China’s intentions.

A potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan could severely impact tech giants like Apple, Nvidia, and AMD due to their reliance on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for chip production. TSMC supplies chips for Apple’s iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices, with Apple investing in US manufacturing capacity to mitigate risks.

The Semiconductor Industry Association warned of a global economic crisis if access to Taiwanese chips is disrupted, with estimates suggesting a significant impact on US GDP. Despite the risks, tech firms have been hesitant to shift production to the US due to higher costs, despite efforts to boost domestic manufacturing.

While TSMC has US facilities, they lag in technology compared to Taiwan, limiting the appeal of US-produced chips. Apple’s investment in US manufacturing and exploration of Intel’s capabilities demonstrate proactive measures to address the potential consequences of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.