Trump Hosts Apple CEO Cook at Mar-a-Lago, Discusses EU Tax Battle
Former President Donald Trump recently hosted Apple CEO Tim Cook for dinner at his Mar-a-Lago resort, signaling a potential thaw in relations between the tech industry and the former president. This meeting comes as several tech leaders seek to improve their standing with Trump, following a period of strained relations during his first term in office.
During the dinner, Trump and Cook reportedly discussed Apple’s ongoing tax disputes with the European Union. The conversation touched on a recent EU court decision that went against Apple, involving a substantial 13 billion euros in back taxes. In a subsequent podcast interview, Trump recounted Cook’s comments on the EU’s fines, highlighting the significance of this issue for the tech giant.
The meeting with Cook is part of a broader trend of tech industry engagement with Trump. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has announced plans to donate $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund, should he win the 2024 election. Similarly, both Amazon and Meta have confirmed their intentions to make equivalent donations.
This renewed interaction comes despite a history of criticism from Trump towards certain tech companies. Amazon, in particular, faced scrutiny during Trump’s first term, with the former president often targeting the company and The Washington Post, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. However, Bezos has recently expressed optimism about a potential second Trump term and its regulatory implications for the tech industry.
Meta’s involvement in this trend is noteworthy, following CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s private meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. While Zuckerberg maintains a neutral stance on the 2024 campaign, he has made positive comments about Trump, including praise for the former president’s response to a past assassination attempt.
As the 2024 election approaches, these interactions between Trump and tech industry leaders suggest a shifting dynamic in their relationship, potentially influencing future tech policies and regulations.
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