Apple CEO Tim Cook is in China for at least his third visit this year, attending a supplier conference on the same day that Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with a group of prominent foreign CEOs, Bloomberg reports.
Cook’s visit comes as global companies grapple with the potential for increased trade disruptions, highlighting Apple’s significant dependence on its Chinese supply chain and market.
Premier Li’s meeting included executives from companies such as Rio Tinto, Corning, and Charoen Pokphand Group. Discussions likely centered on supply chain issues and the flow of trade, particularly relevant given the ongoing uncertainties surrounding global trade relations.
While Cook’s specific agenda remains undisclosed, his presence at the supplier conference underscores the importance Apple places on its Chinese partnerships.
This visit follows Cook’s trip to China last month, where he reiterated Apple’s commitment to continued investment in the country and emphasized its crucial role in the company’s global operations. The timing is particularly notable given the potential for increased tariffs on Chinese goods, a threat previously issued by US President-elect Donald Trump. China remains Apple’s largest market outside the United States, and the majority of iPhones are manufactured in the country by Foxconn.
The convergence of Cook’s visit with Premier Li’s meeting with other global CEOs suggests a focus on addressing concerns surrounding trade and supply chain stability within the context of the evolving geopolitical landscape. The weekend also saw Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang receive an honorary doctorate in Hong Kong.
