Trade Policy, Apple's China Strategy, and More

Apple's $70B China trap, new tax breaks saving manufacturers $200K+ per machine, and exclusive equipment deals inside. Plus: our AI sourcing tool launch update.

Author

Will Drewery
July 25, 2025

Trade Policy, Apple's China Strategy, and Equipment Opportunities

Hi Everyone! 🙏🏾

I know it's been a while since you've heard from us - and I've missed connecting with this community! We've been heads-down building something special at Diagon (more on that soon 👀), but I wanted to reconnect and share what's been happening in our world.

🎙️ Latest Movers & Makers Podcast: Apple, China, and the Future of Manufacturing

Our latest episode features Patrick McGee, Financial Times reporter and author of "Apple and China," diving deep into what the Apple-China relationship teaches us about manufacturing strategy.

Key takeaways from our conversation:

  • Why Apple's success in China actually makes it harder for them to leave (their $70B retail business creates a trap)

  • The "China speed" phenomenon - how Tesla built their Shanghai factory in under 12 months

  • Why humanoid robots probably won't save American manufacturing (spoiler: China will likely build those too)

Patrick's sobering insight: "Apple shipping more than 2 million products a day... made up of a thousand components means you're operating with a billion components a day. I don't know that there's any American companies that can keep up with that pace."

[Listen to the full episode: YouTube | Apple | Spotify]

🍽️ Movers & Makers Events: Join Us This Fall

We're gearing up for a series of exclusive dinners and a larger event in September/October featuring 300+ of the top manufacturing leaders.

Interested in speaking or sponsoring? Reply to this email - we'd love to have you involved. 

📊 The "Big Beautiful Bill" and Manufacturing

I spent last week analyzing the equipment tax sections of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). Here's what manufacturers need to know:

Key provisions:

  • ✅ 100% immediate tax write-offs on ALL manufacturing equipment purchased after January 19, 2025

  • ✅ Manufacturing facilities: 100% depreciation (construction start by 2030)

  • ✅ Semiconductor equipment: 35% tax credits (increased from 25%)

The financial impact is significant - potentially $210K-$370K in federal tax savings on a $1M machine.

Fanuc Robots

  • R-2000iC/165F: 6-axis articulated robot (50-68% off list price)

  • M-20iD/25: Compact 6-axis robot for precise applications

Complete vacuum system including:

  • GXS dry screw pumps

  • EXS750 pumps

  • APG200 gauges

Interested? Reply to this email or visit our marketplace.

🚀 What's Next at Diagon

We're building something that will transform how you find and sell equipment. Think AI that actually understands your needs and can source equipment in minutes, not weeks.

P.S. Join our waitlist for Albus - an AI agent that handles your equipment sales & sourcing: https://join.diagon.ai/

Building the future together,

Will Drewery
CEO & Co-Founder, Diagon

P.P.S. Seriously though, what's your biggest equipment sourcing challenge right now? Hit reply - I read every email.