Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook, on at least his third trip to China this year, attended a supplier meeting on the same day that Chinese government officials convened a key meeting with a group of foreign CEOs.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang is scheduled to meet with business executives on Monday ahead of the event, as companies around the world prepare for President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to increase tariffs on Chinese goods. Trade disruptions are a particular concern for Apple. The company makes most of its iPhones domestically through Foxconn, making China its largest market after the United States.
Mr. Cook’s plans for the capital are unclear. The CEO made a point of underscoring the importance of China’s supply chain in brief remarks via social media accounts linked to state broadcaster China Central Television.
In response to a question about Apple’s Chinese partners, Cook said, “I think very highly of them. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without them.”
Lee will speak at a gathering of businessmen and hear from heads of global companies including Rio Tinto, Corning and Charoen Pokpan Group, Bloomberg News reported. Discussions are expected to cover a wide range of issues related to supply chains and trade flows.
Apple’s CEO was in the capital just last month, pledging to continue investing in the country and also highlighting Apple’s important role in the iPhone maker’s global operations. Over the weekend, Nvidia Corp. CEO Jensen Huang was in Hong Kong receiving an honorary doctorate.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
