market cap is not comparable to GDP. GDP is comparable to value added or profit.

Apple doesn’t need the UK business, but many people will get upset if their iPhone stops working.

That’s pretty big leverage.

> their iPhone stops working

Reminds of when UK regulator blocked Microsoft from buying Activision.

It was suggested by some that Microsoft has lots of power of UK and can threaten to pull out of UK and disable every single Windows PC and server in UK and destroy data belonging to UK businesses held in Azure, etc.

Shame it didn't happen, would have loved the reaction from Macron/French/EU given their hatred of US big tech.

> Apple doesn’t need the UK business,

I think shareholders would disagree. Several billion in sales and all assets in the UK are not insignificant. On top if that would be the reaction of other governments to seeing a business successfully defy a government. ait could be them next.

>That’s pretty big leverage.

True and it shows how foolish governments are to allow such reliance on foreign suppliers.

But how would shareholders react if Apple complies?