Trump's Adviser: Cook Played Trump, Apple Never Really Wanted to Move Out of China
Trump's adviser and hardline anti-China figure Navarro publicly expressed strong dissatisfaction with Apple CEO Cook on a program, stating that Cook has never truly taken action to move iPhone production back to the United States. Navarro even described Apple's supply chain adjustments as the longest soap opera in Silicon Valley.
It must be said that during Cook's era, Apple indeed played Trump.
From the first term to the second term, it's still playing.
Since Trump took office on his first day in 2016, he has taken Apple as a key example for manufacturing return, repeatedly calling on iPhones to be made in the United States.
What about Cook? He cooperated well, making promises constantly. He announced the construction of a factory in Texas, promised hundreds of billions in investment, and praised Trump's tax reform. All the right things were said, but the production lines didn't move.
After Trump's second term, he also focused on "paying attention" to Cook. Trump's trade secretary Rutledge still dreamed of the scene of "a million American workers screwing together iPhones," but the production lines still didn't move.
This is the ultimate showoff.
On the surface, they talk about supply chain diversification, but behind the scenes, they are increasing investments in China, consolidating the supply chain, and strictly following Chinese laws for localization and domestication. Cook does this because he knows better than anyone: Apple can only survive by relying on China.
As Navarro complained, Apple never really wanted to leave, and it won't leave; it just plays for the White House.
When Trump finishes his campaign, Apple continues to steadily build its business, and the supply chain remains intact without any disruption. Once the storm passes, Apple no longer even wants to play the act.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837047418285065/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.