Win McNamee/Getty Images News/Getty Images
Industryweek 35530 Trump Dem Getty Promo
Industryweek 35530 Trump Dem Getty Promo
Industryweek 35530 Trump Dem Getty Promo
Industryweek 35530 Trump Dem Getty Promo
Industryweek 35530 Trump Dem Getty Promo

Trump Says Apple Won't Get China Tariff Relief

July 26, 2019
The president tweeted on Friday, "Apple will not be given Tariff wavers, or relief, for Mac Pro parts that are made in China. Make them in the USA, no Tariffs!"

President Donald Trump rejected Apple Inc.’s bid to avoid tariffs on computer parts it manufactures in China, saying the company should instead make the components in the U.S.

The Cupertino, California-based technology giant has asked the Trump administration to exclude key components that make up the forthcoming Mac Pro high-end desktop computer from 25% import tariffs, weeks after planning to relocate production of the line to China from Texas.

Apple shares dipped briefly following the tweet and mostly recovered. They were up less than 1% at 10:16 a.m. in New York. Spokesmen for the company didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump has previously promised relief if companies can show that parts or products can only be obtained in China, aren’t “strategically important” to Chinese industrial programs or that the duties would cause “severe economic harm.” Trump has tweeted that companies won’t face a tariff if they make their goods “at home in the USA.”

Trump has encouraged Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook to move operations from China to the U.S., Larry Kudlow, Trump’s chief economic adviser, told reporters on Friday at the White House.

The new Mac Pro will be manufactured in China, a person familiar with the company’s plans said last month, shifting production of what had been Apple’s only major device assembled in the U.S. The previous design had been built in Texas since 2013. The new model was announced in June and will go on sale later this year, starting at $5999. Apple said last month that “final assembly is only one part of the manufacturing process.”

Apple is also seeking duty exclusions on its Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad, complementary devices for operating the computer, as well as an accompanying USB cable for charging external mobile devices.

Trump slapped tariffs on $250 billion in Chinese goods last year, launching a trade war over longstanding U.S. allegations of unfair economic practices, including the theft of American intellectual property.

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Empowering the Modern Workforce: The Power of Connected Worker Technologies

March 1, 2024
Explore real-world strategies to boost worker safety, collaboration, training, and productivity in manufacturing. Emphasizing Industry 4.0, we'll discuss digitalization and automation...

3 Best Practices to Create a Product-Centric Competitive Advantage with PRO.FILE PLM

Jan. 25, 2024
Gain insight on best practices and strategies you need to accelerate engineering change management and reduce time to market. Register now for your opportunity to accelerate your...

Transformative Capabilities for XaaS Models in Manufacturing

Feb. 14, 2024
The manufacturing sector is undergoing a pivotal shift toward "servitization," or enhancing product offerings with services and embracing a subscription model. This transition...

Shifting Your Business from Products to Service-Based Business Models: Generating Predictable Revenues

Oct. 27, 2023
Executive summary on a recent IndustryWeek-hosted webinar sponsored by SAP

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!