Tim Cook, Trump To Meet Amid iPhone Tariff Tensions

President Donald Trump will host Apple CEO Tim Cook at the White House today, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter who requested anonymity, reported news agency Bloomberg.

However, the agenda for today's meeting remains undisclosed, according to the source.

The meeting comes at a critical point for the iPhone maker, which is caught between escalating US-China trade tensions. The White House has recently signalled a tougher stance on tariff exemptions, thus, threatening Apple's carefully crafted supply chain strategy.

Cook, who has cultivated a working relationship with the administration since Trump's reelection, attended both the presidential inauguration and held discussions at Mar-a-Lago during the transition period. 

However, this rapport faces new challenges as Trump considers expanding 10 per cent tariff on Chinese imports, a move that could significantly impact Apple's operations.

The stakes are particularly high for Apple, which relies heavily on China as its primary manufacturing base while serving the US as its largest market. The company's position has become even more precarious as Chinese authorities contemplate launching an investigation into Apple's App Store policies and developer fee structure.

While Cook successfully secured iPhone tariff exemptions during Trump's first term, the president recently indicated a shift away from such accommodations. "We're looking to avoid exemptions this time around," Trump told reporters, suggesting a potentially tougher environment for the tech company.

Despite these tensions, Cook has publicly expressed optimism about working with the Trump administration. Following the election, he emphasised Apple's commitment to American innovation, though specific points of conflict remain unresolved, particularly regarding device encryption and law enforcement access.

The encryption debate continues to be a point of contention, with Trump advocating for increased law enforcement access to encrypted devices. Apple maintains its stance against creating OS backdoors, citing security concerns and potential vulnerability to hackers.