"Apple's announcement comes amid increased pressure between Washington and Beijing as new tariffs loom. Apple has pledged to increase its investment in China as tensions between Washington and Beijing rage on. CEO Tim Cook said on Wednesday that the tech giant told China's industry minister, Li Lecheng, the iPhone maker will keep investing in China, according to an official summary of their meeting in Beijing released by the Chinese government."
"The report gave no details of the size of the potential investment. Many US companies have become cautious about relations with China as the world's two biggest economies clash over tariffs and as United States President Donald Trump seeks to promote manufacturing in the US rather than elsewhere. The California-based company, which has also made investment pledges to Washington, DC, has so far remained relatively unscathed by the trade war between the US and China."
"Other companies, such as Nvidia and Qualcomm, have found themselves the target of Chinese investigations. Washington has long placed sanctions on Chinese companies, such as Huawei. A Shanghai-based government affairs consultant, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak with the media, said US companies are wary of angering a White House that could hurt them at home in the world's biggest consumer market for appearing too pro-China, the Reuters news agency reported."
"At the same time, they are seeking to avoid appearing insincere in Beijing, where they have pledged to be in China, for China, he added. In August, Cook presented Trump with a custom US-made plaque mounted on a 24-carat gold stand commemorating Apple's American Manufacturing Program, after saying it would invest an additional $100bn in domestic manufacturing. This may place Apple in the crosshairs of President Trump and his policies, but given Apple's operations, it is possible that this move was pre-approved by the administration."
Apple pledged increased investment in China and confirmed continued operations to Chinese industry officials, while offering no details on the size of potential investment. Many US companies have become cautious about relations with China amid escalating tariff clashes and US efforts to promote domestic manufacturing. Apple has also made investment pledges in Washington, DC, including a $100bn domestic manufacturing commitment, and remains relatively unscathed by the trade war. Other firms have faced Chinese investigations and US sanctions target Chinese companies such as Huawei. Firms seek to avoid angering US authorities while not appearing insincere in Beijing.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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