KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Trump threatens 25% tariff on non-U.S. iPhones
- Apple CEO Tim Cook skipped recent Middle East trip
- Move reportedly personal retaliation, not policy-driven
- Apple may face growing trade pressure under new administration
Trump Was Reportedly Unhappy About Tim Cook Skipping the High Profile Visit to Middle East
According to The New York Times, former President Donald Trump’s surprise threat last week to slap a 25% tariff on all iPhones not made in the U.S. may have had little to do with economic policy and a lot to do with Tim Cook’s empty chair during a high-profile Middle East visit.
The trip, which took Trump to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, was attended by tech heavyweights like Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and OpenAI’s Sam Altman. Tim Cook, despite being invited, declined. And that didn’t go unnoticed. During a speech in Riyadh, Trump openly called out Cook’s absence, then doubled down later in Qatar with a jab about Apple’s overseas manufacturing.
Shortly after, Trump fired off a Truth Social post warning Cook that Apple must shift iPhone production to the U.S., or face a 25% tariff.
This sudden move alarmed not only Apple but also the administration, who reportedly weren’t looped in beforehand. Apple had only just dodged a 145% China-related tariff earlier this year. Now, it’s staring down a new challenge from the same person who once kept the company shielded through diplomacy and mutual respect.
Back in Trump’s first term, Cook played it smart, showing up when asked, building goodwill, and even donating to the inauguration. But that playbook might not work anymore. Trump’s recent comments signal he expects more personal loyalty, and Apple may be reaching its limit.
Whether this tariff threat will materialize or not, the message is loud and clear: missing out on the presidential photo op can come at a cost.
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