Apple CEO Tim Cook has given President Donald Trump more than just a $100 billion promise to accelerate U.S. manufacturing of Apple products. The tech giant has committed to pouring $500 billion over the next four years into the “American Manufacturing Program”, which will expand its 18-year-old partnership with Corning, a New York-based company that produces glass for iPhone and iWatch screens.
Cook’s announcement comes as Trump plans to impose a 100% tariff on semiconductor chips, hiking prices for electronics, cars, appliances, and other technology using the chips. However, Apple has effectively dodged the tax by committing to increase domestic production.
Trump had been pushing U.S. tech companies to shift production domestically, despite analysts’ warnings that it’s neither cost-efficient nor logistically practical. Cook has a history of working with Trump, earning him the title of “Trump Whisperer” for his ability to make compromises around tax cuts and manufacturing commitments.
Cook gave Trump a customized glass plaque mounted on a 24-karat gold stand as a token of commitment. The gift is valued at over $600 billion, making it a unique unit of one. According to Joseph Badaracco, a Harvard Business School professor, Cook’s gesture aligns with his ethos of navigating policy uncertainty and setting Apple apart from its tech rivals.
The move may be seen as a strategic maneuver by Apple to navigate the Trump administration’s policies, which have led to a collapse of traditional checks and balances. As analysts weigh in, it remains to be seen whether Cook’s gift will have a lasting impact on the company’s manufacturing strategy.
Source: https://fortune.com/2025/08/07/apple-trump-tim-cook-100-billion-manufacturing-gift-plaque-gold