Over the week, the Trump administration announced a set of exemptions for its tariffs imposed on products imported into the United States from China.The exemptions cover product categories like smartphones and laptops, giving Apple a huge reprieve for the iPhone, Mac, and more.In comments earlier this week, Trump bragged about how he “helped” Apple with these exemptions.
A new report from dives into the inner workings of the Trump administration, particularly as they relate to Apple CEO Tim Cook.According to the report, Cook spoke to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick last week “about the potential impact of the tariffs on iPhone prices.” In addition to Lutnick, he also spoke with “other senior officials in the White House.” Perhaps most importantly, Cook “refrained from publicly criticizing the president or his policies on national television.” Wilbur Ross, commerce secretary during Trump’s first term, said it’s unsurprising that the current administration has been receptive to Cook’s suggestions: Here’s another tidbit on Trump and Cook’s relationship from today’s report: But while Apple has won a reprieve from tariffs, that peace of mind might be temporary.In an interview on Sunday, Lutnick said that the exemption from the reciprocal tariff isn’t a “permanent sort of exemption” and a broader plan will be announced “in a month or two.” Follow Chance: Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, and Mastodon. You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day.
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