Right now, it seems that Apple has a lot to lose if the CCP were to suddenly cut off access to China -- both in terms of supply chain and in terms of market acc

Right now, it seems that Apple has a lot to lose if the CCP were to suddenly cut off access to China -- both in terms of supply chain and in terms of market access. With an independent App Store, the CCP would have less leverage over the platform, since as a services-only company, it would be far less dependent on China. (In this scenario however, the Apple hardware division as a separate entity will still be very beholden to the whims of the CCP as they still depend on China for its supply chain and market access.) If you look at Google right now, their Play Store still has the app available, mostly I believe, because the CCP has little or no leverage over Google to force their hand. I do agree, tho that allowing side loading apps would also sidestep this issue altogether.