Tim Cook: Complaint to Donald Trump about the behavior of the EU Commission
The EU is seeking a billion-euro fine from Apple. Tim Cook reportedly discussed this with Donald Trump, who plans to address it if re-elected to office.
Tim Cook and Donald Trump at a factory tour in Austin during the Republican's presidency.
(Image: dpa, Evan Vucci/AP/dpa)
In a podcast appearance, Republican candidate for the US presidency, Donald J. Trump, chatted about recent conversations with Apple CEO Tim Cook. In an episode of the PBD podcast with Patrick Bet-David, which has been viewed 2.7 million times on YouTube alone since last week, Trump said that Cook had called him "two, three hours ago" to discuss the current EU Commission competition proceedings against Apple – and a tax case concerning subsidies in Ireland that he had just lost before the European Court of Justice. Apple was threatened with payments totaling 17 billion US dollars – actually 1.8 billion euros for – the EU Commission – slowing down Spotify and other music services in the App Store, as well as a back tax payment of 13 billion euros.
"Tim, I have to get elected first"
Trump announced that, if elected US President for a second time, he would ensure that the EU could "no longer take advantage of US companies". "[Tim Cook] said something interesting," Trump told Bet-David, referring to the EU. "He said they use that to run their business, so Europe is their business model." This thing is "about a lot," he told Cook. "But Tim, I have to get elected first, and then I won't let [them] take advantage of our companies – that won't happen then."
It is common knowledge that Cook speaks directly to Trump – which he has repeatedly praised. Other companies sent lobby representatives, but Apple sent the boss, according to Trump. Whether the conversation actually took place is unconfirmed. Apple itself did not initially comment to the American media. It also remains unclear how exactly Trump would take action against the EU Commission.
US locations strengthened under Trump
During the Trump presidency from 2017 to 2021, Apple CEO Cook strengthened the company's local production in the USA and even opened a Mac Pro factory in Texas together with Trump. At the same time, Apple had to contend with import tariffs against China, which Trump had increased. The US election will take place on November 5. Trump is running against Democrat Kamala Harris.
Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt
Mit Ihrer Zustimmmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen.
Ich bin damit einverstanden, dass mir externe Inhalte angezeigt werden. Damit können personenbezogene Daten an Drittplattformen (heise Preisvergleich) übermittelt werden. Mehr dazu in unserer Datenschutzerklärung.
(bsc)
