Trump to Apple: ‘Make your products’ in the US to avoid tariffs

President Trump on Saturday pitched what he called an “easy solution” for Apple to avoid his proposed tariffs on China: Make the products in the U.S.

Trump acknowledged in a tweet that “Apple prices may increase because of the massive Tariffs we may be imposing on China,” but suggested the issue was not with the tariffs themselves.

“There is an easy solution where there would be ZERO tax, and indeed a tax incentive. Make your products in the United States instead of China. Start building new plants now,” Trump wrote. “Exciting!”

Apple prices may increase because of the massive Tariffs we may be imposing on China – but there is an easy solution where there would be ZERO tax, and indeed a tax incentive. Make your products in the United States instead of China. Start building new plants now. Exciting! #MAGA

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 8, 2018

The president’s comments came after Apple warned this week that Trump’s proposed tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods would affect a host of its products, including Apple Watch and Apple AirPods.

{mosads}

“It is difficult to see how tariffs that hurt U.S. companies and U.S. consumers will advance the Government’s objectives with respect to China’s technology policies,” Apple said in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.

“We hope, instead, that you will reconsider these measures and work to find other, more effective solutions that leave the U.S. economy and U.S. consumer stronger and healthier than ever before.”

Apple CEO Tim Cook has previously voiced optimism that Trump’s trade measures would not impact the price of the iPhone, which drives the majority of the company’s profits.

Trump met with Cook last month amid rolling discussions on his tougher trade measures, touting that the Apple chief “is investing big dollars in U.S.A.”

The president told reporters Friday on Air Force One that imposing tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese products “will take place very soon depending on what happens.”

Trump added that he was prepared to slap another $267 billion in tariffs on Chinese products, beyond the $200 billion he has already promised.