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Fake Arresting Obama Is Just a Distraction

Fake Arresting Obama Is Just a Distraction

Bloomberg22-07-2025
Opinion Newsletter
Jessica Karl, Columnist
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Gosh, it's really hard to believe that this photo of former President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump was taken only six months ago:
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Apple Expands 18-Year-Old iPhone Glass Deal in Bid to Avoid Trump Tariffs
Apple Expands 18-Year-Old iPhone Glass Deal in Bid to Avoid Trump Tariffs

Yahoo

time18 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Apple Expands 18-Year-Old iPhone Glass Deal in Bid to Avoid Trump Tariffs

(Bloomberg) — Apple Inc. (AAPL) Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook is using a familiar strategy to stay in Donald Trump's good graces: expanding existing initiatives to show he supports the president's 'Made in the USA' agenda. All Hail the Humble Speed Hump Mayor Asked to Explain $1.4 Billion of Wasted Johannesburg Funds Three Deaths Reported as NYC Legionnaires' Outbreak Spreads Major Istanbul Projects Are Stalling as City Leaders Sit in Jail PATH Train Service Resumes After Fire at Jersey City Station Standing in the Oval Office on Wednesday between Trump and Vice President JD Vance, Cook announced that Apple will increase its US investment commitment to $600 billion over four years — up from the $500 billion pledged after Trump's second-term victory. A centerpiece of the expansion is a $2.5 billion investment into Corning Inc. (GLW), Apple's longtime glass supplier. For the first time, the cover glass for all iPhones and Apple Watches will be manufactured in the US, at Corning's facility in Kentucky. Though Apple has touted the US roots of iPhone glass before, a portion of that glass was previously made overseas. 'Apple's been an investor in other countries a little bit. I won't say which ones, but a couple. And they're coming home,' Trump said when making the announcement. The $600 billion investment, he said, is 'the biggest there is.' The iPhone maker also discussed increased agreements focused on semiconductor manufacturing, expanding deals with partners like Samsung Electronics Co. ( Texas Instruments Inc. and Broadcom Inc. Apple is branding the effort the American Manufacturing Program, or AMP. The agreements that Apple touted included: Working with GlobalWafers Co. in Texas to produce US wafers — the basis for the chips that go into the iPhone and other devices. Apple also said it was partnering with Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT), the biggest US producer of semiconductor-manufacturing equipment, to make more of that gear in Austin. But in those cases, Apple will be on the sidelines, rather than building the machinery and components itself. Expanding a partnership with Texas Instruments (TXN) to support the manufacturing of chips in Utah and Texas. The facilities will make components that ultimately go into the iPhone and other devices shipped around the world, Apple said. It's also teaming up with Samsung to create new chips in Texas that can boost the power and performance of devices. A deal with GlobalFoundries Inc. to boost US manufacturing of wireless technologies and power-management components in New York state. Investing in an Arizona facility run by Amkor Technology Inc. that tests and packages chips. The location will handle Apple-bound silicon made by partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM, at its nearby plants. In all, the announcements provided just enough evidence that Apple was focusing on America — without forcing it to make major changes. Corning has supplied Apple since the first iPhone in 2007, and Cook has long promoted the iPhone's American-made glass. What's new is the modestly increased scale. Apple is pointing to the deals as it seeks relief from looming tariffs. The Trump administration is letting exemptions on smartphone and gadget levies expire and adopting new duties on Indian imports — a potential issue for Apple, which recently shifted US-bound iPhone assembly to India. Cook even seized on Trump's famous love of gold. He presented the president with a large, circular Corning glass plaque engraved with the president's name, mounted in 24-karat gold. The Apple CEO said that the glass came off an assembly line in Kentucky while the gold was produced in Utah. Cook added that a former US Marine who works at Apple designed the plaque. Trump, meanwhile, announced a major enticement: He said that companies investing in the US — even if the projects are in early stages — would get a break from some tariffs. 'The good news for companies like Apple is, if you're building in the United States, or have committed to build,' Trump said, 'there will be no charge.' Apple's pledges are expected to meet that criteria, even if it isn't actually making iPhones and other popular devices in the US. Assembly of the smartphone — a costly and complex process of combining components, testing and boxing devices — will continue in China and, increasingly, India. That part will stay 'elsewhere for a while,' Cook said. But 'there's a lot of content in there from the United States, and we're very proud of it.' Trump acknowledged that assembly was 'set up in other places, and it's been there for a long time,' but he reiterated his desire to bring that stage of production to the US someday. 'This is a significant step toward the ultimate goal of ensuring that iPhones sold in the United States of America also are made in America,' he said. Trump's existing tariffs have already taken a toll on Apple. It said last week that the levies will cost the company about $1.1 billion in the September quarter. But Apple is looking to avoid incurring further costs, especially as it prepares to unveil the iPhone 17 line next month. Cook is also likely seeking support from Trump on other fronts: The US Justice Department is suing the company for alleged antitrust violations, and the agency is threatening its $20 billion search deal with Alphabet Inc.'s Google (GOOG) in a separate case. The US government also could potentially help Apple cope with tough new restrictions on the App Store in the EU. This isn't the first time Apple has used US manufacturing announcements to promote Trump's priorities. In 2019, the company promised to assemble a new Mac Pro in Texas. It wasn't a big change: Apple had produced the previous model in the state since 2013. But that gesture helped land the company a reprieve from tariffs. Earlier this year, after Trump's return to office, Cook unveiled the initial $500 billion commitment — an acceleration of the investments Apple had begun under President Joe Biden. At that time, Apple announced it would start making AI servers in Houston. Cook said Wednesday that the first test units rolled off that factory's assembly line last month. 'We're going to keep building technologies at the heart of our products right here in America,' he said. Russia's Secret War and the Plot to Kill a German CEO The Pizza Oven Startup With a Plan to Own Every Piece of the Pie AI Flight Pricing Can Push Travelers to the Limit of Their Ability to Pay Government Steps Up Campaign Against Business School Diversity A High-Rise Push Is Helping Mumbai Squeeze in Pools, Gyms and Greenery ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. 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Apple just gifted Trump a 24K gold Gorilla Glass statue, and a $100 billion peace offering
Apple just gifted Trump a 24K gold Gorilla Glass statue, and a $100 billion peace offering

Android Authority

time19 minutes ago

  • Android Authority

Apple just gifted Trump a 24K gold Gorilla Glass statue, and a $100 billion peace offering

NBC News TL;DR Apple CEO Tim Cook has gifted US President Donald Trump a circular Gorilla Glass statue with a gold Apple logo and a 24K gold base. The commemorative statue was presented to Trump ahead of Cook's $100 billion US investment announcement at the White House. The peace offering comes after the President criticized and pressured Apple to bring more of its supply chain stateside. In a heartwarming display of capitalism, Apple has gifted US President Donald Trump what may be the world's most expensive piece of Corning Gorilla Glass, or a very luxurious paperweight, depending on how you see it. The statue features a Gorilla Glass disc with a gold Apple logo etched into it. The disc itself sits on a 24-karat pure gold base. Cook unveiled the gift during a White House press conference to celebrate Apple's pledge to invest another $100 billion into US manufacturing. The words 'Apple American Manufacturing Program' and 'Made in USA' are etched in the Gorilla Glass display alongside the President's full name printed boldly on top. Tim Cook's signature features at the bottom of the glass circle that sits on a gold base made in Utah. Meanwhile, the Gorilla Glass was reportedly designed by a former US Marine Corps corporal now employed at Apple. Reuters In addition to gifting this unique sculpture to Trump, the Apple CEO announced the company's commitment to bringing more of its supply chain stateside, including sourcing chips from Samsung's US facility. This isn't the first time Apple has courted favor with President Trump. Back in his first term, Trump praised Cook for being 'a great executive.' Cook also reportedly calls Trump directly, with publications like The New York Times deeming him 'The Trump Whisperer.' It looks like Cook has figured out how to deal with the US President without tweeting about it, like some other tech CEOs. Follow

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