Apple CEO Tim Cook Influence Fades Amid Trump Criticism

Tensions between President Trump and Apple CEO Tim Cook have escalated following Cook's decision to decline joining Trump's Middle East trip, which irritated the president and led to public criticism. Trump praised other tech leaders like Nvidia's Jensen Huang while disparaging Cook for not attending and for Apple's increasing manufacturing presence in India rather than the United States. Trump subsequently threatened imposing a 25 percent tariff on iPhones made outside the U.S., intensifying pressure on Apple amid an already complex global supply chain environment. Industry insiders and analysts are exploring ways for Apple to navigate these challenges without severely disrupting its business or market value. The dispute underscores broader issues of corporate influence, international trade tensions, and the balancing act tech companies face between political expectations and global operations. Cook's retreat from the political spotlight highlights the growing friction between major U.S. corporations and the current administration's trade and manufacturing policies.