Tim Cook at CEO Summit in China to Talk Supply Chain, Trade Issues

Apple CEO Tim Cook on Monday made his third visit to China this year, ahead of a five-day supply chain conference with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other corporate leaders (via Bloomberg).

tim cook visits china nov 2024
The Apple chief joined more than 20 global business leaders in meetings with Premier Li Qiang, including executives from Rio Tinto, Corning, and Charoen Pokphand Group. Chinese corporate leaders from Lenovo Group and ICBC were also present at the discussions, which focused on supply chain and trade matters.

Cook was seen at the China International Supply Chain Expo, where he was keen to highlight the critical role of Chinese partners in Apple's operations. "I value them very highly. We could not do what we do without them," he remarked in comments shared by Chinese state media. "I am proud to be here... that Apple has an exhibit here with our partners," added Cook during his first visit to the expo.

Cook's visit comes at a sensitive time for Apple, with companies worldwide bracing for potential trade disruptions following Donald Trump's U.S. election victory. Trump has threatened to hike tariffs on Chinese goods, while China remains Apple's largest market outside the United States. Apple has around 200 major suppliers, with more than 80% producing products in China. The company also produces the majority of its iPhones there through manufacturing partner Foxconn.

The timing is particularly significant as Apple works to balance its deep ties to China while gradually diversifying its production chain to other regions like Vietnam and Indonesia. Cook's last visit to Beijing occurred only last month when he pledged Apple's continued investment in the country.

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Top Rated Comments

MacManiac1 Avatar
21 weeks ago
Bring jobs to the USA and you don’t have to worry about tariffs.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
21 weeks ago

Apple is being very smart. It knows China will (obviously) outlast Trump.
I think the Apple, under Tim, would completely drop the US before he dropped China.


Bring jobs to the USA and you don’t have to worry about tariffs.
The US does not a workforce capable of replacing what is currently done in China for Apple.

And for tariffs, they don't have to worry about them, we do. The US consumer will be paying 100% of the cost of the tariffs, directly, at checkout.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
everlast3434 Avatar
21 weeks ago
Is this the best pic you could get? Lol
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CapitalIdea Avatar
21 weeks ago

Bring jobs to the USA and you don’t have to worry about tariffs.
The jobs would have been here all this time if you and everyone else hadn’t opted to save a couple of bucks buying the foreign made option at every possible turn for the past 50 years, while also refusing to demand a change to the incentivized offshoring to increase margins for shareholders. Want to know why manufacturing was hollowed out in the US? Look in your closet, at your entertainment center, and then look in the mirror.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BGPL Avatar
21 weeks ago
Tim, while you're there, can you speak to them about their complete disregard for the environment and their carbon footprint? What about work conditions and suicides? I know you care about this stuff Tim, because you tell people you do. There's no way you're just saying all that and you're just there to push your economic agenda. That can't be.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CharlesShaw Avatar
21 weeks ago
His schedule and job pressures sure put my week of eating and streaming tv shows into perspective.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)