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President-elect Trump considers potential Apple manufacturing in US a 'real achievement'

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President-elect Donald Trump's full transcript of his interview with the New York Times has been published, and some details about his conversation with Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook involving U.S. manufacturing have emerged.

Photo: Credit Hiroko Masuike — The New York Times

"Tim, you know one of the things that will be a real achievement for me is when I get Apple to build a big plant in the United States, or many big plants in the United States," recounted Trump to the New York Times about the recent call with the Apple CEO. "Instead of going to China, and going to Vietnam, and going to the places that you go to, you're making your product right here."

According to Trump, Cook's only response was, "I understand that."

"I think we'll create the incentives for you, and I think you're going to do it," added Trump. "We're going for a very large tax cut for corporations, which you'll be happy about."

In the portion of the conversation related to Cook and Apple, Trump also pointed to his view that a "choking" overly regulatory environment within the federal government is responsible for a poor start-up climate, and hampers expansion.

"I've met so many people. They are more excited about the regulation cut than about the tax cut," said Trump. "And I would've never said that's possible, because the tax cut's going to be substantial."

Trump added that the reaction to regulatory reduction was surprising to him, and "more enthusiastically supported" than large tax cuts.



133 Comments

wood1208 10 Years · 2939 comments

Mr. Trump, how about pressuring Samsung, LG and most importantly Chinese phone companies like Huawei trying to enter North American market to manufacturer their phones or products here in USA ? If you can't do that than get off Apple's back.

AlexVienna 8 Years · 1 comment

I don't like what Trump is doing, but in this case I must admit that its not an Apple thing. If he does a tax cut and increases customs duties it will be tougher for Korean and Chinese companies to sell something in the U.S. The problem is, this might have serious long term consequences.

king editor the grate 15 Years · 662 comments

The regulations aspect is interesting since Apple seemingly wanted to make Watch a more capable health tracker but ran into issues if it were considered a medical device.

cali 10 Years · 3494 comments

 How about Trump stops the sale of all that iknockoffs in the country first.  Take away the rights from the IP thieves who steal from American companies. 

 I'm sure then it will be fair for Apple to return a favor.

evilution 13 Years · 1395 comments

If you get robots to make the products, the costs shouldn't be much higher. Plus you get less leaks.