Yes, that’s also possible in making Bloomberg retract the story. But it would take a big hit on its reputation (whatever it is) and also lose a lot of sources. I’d also imagine reporters leaving it for other places, thus making it worse. It seems like there’s no good ending for Bloomberg in this story. One escape route seems to be the nuclear option of revealing some (not all) sources, what they said, when, where, etc. But that also guarantees a mutually assured destruction. I feel bad for the Bloomberg reporters now (assuming they didn’t do this out of malice and dishonesty).

Maybe a closed hearing with all parties involved could bring some closure, with some face saving retraction or statements.

> If this were proved beyond a shadow of a doubt, China would be shown to be guilty of a massive act of corporate espionage.

> Surely geopolitical pressure combined with the commercial pressure for that not to happen is enough for Bloomberg to retract its story regardless of truth?

Perhaps that could also be the source of Apple and Amazon's strong denials. What if they were told on no uncertain terms by the Chinese that if they corroborated Bloomberg's story, they would be shut out from the Chinese market? The PRC could even cripple Apple's international operations by interfering with their manufacturing.

I think Tim Cook would have a very hard time doing anything but deny, if confirmation meant writing off a billion-user market and justifying it to Apple's shareholders.