James Kynge

Last year, Chinese exports to the whole world was about 3.77 trillion US dollars.

And this year, I think it will go up above 4 trillion for the first time.

It'll probably come in at significantly more than $4 trillion, maybe $4.2, $4.3 trillion US dollars.

But the important part of the prediction I'd like to make is that for the first time ever, Chinese exports as a proportion of total global exports will rise to about 17% or 18%, which is a historic record, overtaking

the previous record, which was 16% by the United States way back, I think it was in 1968.

So we're headed into new territory again in terms of Chinese trade and the dominance of Chinese exports around the world.

Well, that's fascinating, Alison.

You've been dead right in, I think, at least two previous predictions about the summit between Trump and Xi.

So I would say at this point, you've got a status of summit whisperer.

Tim Cook is in China at the moment.

He's been opening a big store.

And previous to that, he was at the China Development Forum in Beijing.

And there he was using some mollifying language.

He said, we are committed to collaborating with our partners across China and with all of you to make this vision of progress at Apple a reality.

It didn't really seem to address the issue head on, but I think it was supposed to mollify opinion in China that is turning against Apple to some degree.

So to me, what is happening to Apple in China is that it's being pressured by the Chinese government to make commercial concessions.

And it's already made one, but China wants more.

And I'm James King.

Yes, I think China remains highly important to Apple.

And to me, this story is really bigger than just Apple in China.