Tim Cook arriving at the White House on November 20. Last updated 11 hours ago. Apple CEO Tim Cook met with President Donald Trump on Thursday morning, likely to discuss the import tariff situation and US manufacturing. There's little detail about the visit, as first reported by Edward Lawrence at Fox Business. However, there are obvious topics of discussion between the two men, with billions of dollars on the line.
Cook was spotted on his way into the White House at about 10:10 AM Eastern Time on Thursday. He departed about 45 minutes later, telling the gathered cameras nothing more than he had a "great meeting" with the President. FOX Business Cameras caught Apple CEO Tim Cook on asking into the White House about 10 minutes ago. #Apple #WhiteHouse pic.twitter.com/CONgQhI3bG.
Cook's main concern is very likely the tariff situation. Trump has promised to levy big import taxes on devices manufactured in China — and the iPhone is a key product that will see tariffs. A report on Thursday claimed that the iPhone would have to increase in price by 9% to offset the import tariffs, which are paid by the importing company, not the country making the devices. These costs are typically passed on to the customer, as Acer is implementing now.
US manufacture is also a likely topic of discussion. Notably, the Mac Pro is still assembled in Texas — but the tides may be turning at least in part. In 2021, Apple noted that 48 of its 180 suppliers moved operations to the US. Given Apple's California focus, over 30 of them were in California, with 8 in 2020.
China remains the dominant country for Apple's supply chain, hosting approximately 150 out of its 180 suppliers. These suppliers are responsible for making chips, screens, camera parts, and motors. And, majority of iPhone, Mac, and other devices are manufactured overseas, particularly in China. But during the Biden Administration, the Chips Act saw Apple processor supplier TSMC getting vast subsidies to build plants in the US.
Trump is no longer a fan of chip maker subsidies in the US. That may also be a topic of conversation. The visit is likely to be one of many over the next four years. Reportedly, Apple visited the White House 87 times during Biden's term, with 11 of them including Cook himself.
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