Trump Targets Apple After Tim Cook Skips Middle East Trip [Report]

A New York Times report published today details growing friction between President Donald Trump and Apple CEO Tim Cook, primarily over iPhone manufacturing. The report outlines how Mr. Cook's decision to decline an invitation to join President Trump on a recent Middle East trip appeared to irritate the President, leading to public criticisms and a new tariff threat against Apple.According to the NYT, President Trump encouraged chief executives to accompany him to the Middle East. Tim Cook declined, a choice that seemingly led to Mr. Trump taking multiple shots at the Apple CEO during the trip. In Riyadh, while praising Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang for attending, Mr. Trump pointedly noted Cook's absence. Later, in Qatar, Trump stated he "had a little problem with Tim Cook," recounting that he told the Apple CEO, "But now I hear you're building all over India. I don't want you building in India."The situation escalated on Friday morning when President Trump, via a Truth Social post, threatened tariffs of at least 25 percent on iPhones made anywhere but the United States. This move reportedly surprised both his administration and Apple's leadership. It marks a sharp turn from just over a month ago when Mr. Cook had successfully lobbied for and won an exemption from a potential 145 percent tariff on iPhones assembled in China and sold in the U.S.Continue ReadingShare Article:Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Reddit, EmailFollow iClarified:Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Newsletter, App Store, YouTube

May 27, 2025 - 02:40

Trump Targets Apple After Tim Cook Skips Middle East Trip [Report]

A New York Times report published today details growing friction between President Donald Trump and Apple CEO Tim Cook, primarily over iPhone manufacturing. The report outlines how Mr. Cook's decision to decline an invitation to join President Trump on a recent Middle East trip appeared to irritate the President, leading to public criticisms and a new tariff threat against Apple.

According to the NYT, President Trump encouraged chief executives to accompany him to the Middle East. Tim Cook declined, a choice that seemingly led to Mr. Trump taking multiple shots at the Apple CEO during the trip. In Riyadh, while praising Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang for attending, Mr. Trump pointedly noted Cook's absence. Later, in Qatar, Trump stated he "had a little problem with Tim Cook," recounting that he told the Apple CEO, "But now I hear you're building all over India. I don't want you building in India."

The situation escalated on Friday morning when President Trump, via a Truth Social post, threatened tariffs of at least 25 percent on iPhones made anywhere but the United States. This move reportedly surprised both his administration and Apple's leadership. It marks a sharp turn from just over a month ago when Mr. Cook had successfully lobbied for and won an exemption from a potential 145 percent tariff on iPhones assembled in China and sold in the U.S.

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