Trump says Apple CEO Tim Cook is a ‘great executive because he calls’

President Donald Trump likes Apple CEO Tim Cook. But it isn’t essentially because he’s operating a massive and profitable enterprise. Rather, Trump stated Cook calls him “whenever there is a problem”

“That’s why he’s a great executive,” Trump advised reporters on Wednesday from exterior the White House. “Because he calls me and others don’t.” 

Last week, Cook joined Trump for dinner on the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Their heat relationship stands in stark distinction to Trump’s place on different prime executives, who he steadily antagonizes.

“Others go out and hire very expensive consultants,” Trump stated. “Tim Cook calls Donald Trump directly.”

Cook could also be prepared to achieve out because Apple has a lot at stake in the case of coverage choices. The firm does the vast majority of its remaining machine meeting in China, placing merchandise just like the iPhone in danger when the Trump administration pronounces tariffs on Chinese imports. Trump has stated he desires Apple to make its merchandise within the U.S.

Apple’s iPhone was in line to get a 10% tariff beginning Sept. 1, earlier than Trump introduced a non permanent reprieve for laptops and cellphones, pushing the beginning date for the duties again to Dec. 15.

According to Trump, Cook not too long ago argued that the 10% tariff could be unfair to Apple, particularly in comparison with its main competitor Samsung, which does most of its manufacturing in South Korea. Trump recommended on Wednesday that Cook immediately influenced the administration’s choice to waive the tariff on cellphones and laptops.

“The problem was that Samsung, a competitor, his competitor, wouldn’t be paying tariffs, and Tim Cook would,” Trump stated. “I gotta help him out short-term, because it’s a great American company.”

Apple did not instantly reply to a request for remark.

The current skirmish over import duties is solely the most recent in a lengthy string of efforts to maintain Apple out of Trump’s commerce battle.

Apple additionally requested for obligation waivers for elements for the Mac Pro in July. The Mac Pro is an costly pc that was assembled in Texas, however there’s a new redesign launching later this yr, which can be made in China, in line with the Wall Street Journal.

Trump tweeted that Apple wouldn’t be getting any tariff waivers or aid for Mac Pro elements made in China.

When Cook was requested concerning the subject on Apple’s earnings name, he stated he’d prefer to make the pc within the U.S., but in addition emphasised that Apple was involved with the administration.

“We’re explaining that and hope for a positive outcome,” Cook stated.

Less than a month after Trump was elected, he stated that Cook known as him following the victory to congratulate him.

Cook has criticized Trump for his environmental insurance policies, his immigration insurance policies, and his tepid response to the lethal white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in…