Apple CEO Tim Cook has pledged to expand the company’s investments in China, reaffirming its commitment to one of its key markets even as tensions between Beijing and Washington intensify. During a meeting in Beijing with Industry Minister Li Lecheng, Cook assured Chinese officials that Apple would continue to invest in the country, according to a government summary.
The timing is delicate: many U.S. corporations are wary of appearing too aligned with China as President Donald Trump pushes for more domestic manufacturing. Yet Cook emphasized Apple’s long-term partnership with Chinese suppliers, including Lens Technology, which has worked with the company for nearly two decades.
Apple’s continued focus on China reflects both necessity and strategy. The company relies heavily on Chinese assembly lines for iPhones and other products, even as it gradually shifts some production to India. In March, Apple announced a 720 million yuan ($101 million) clean energy fund in China, complementing earlier commitments to expand U.S. manufacturing.
Apple’s Chinese sales have held steady despite a sluggish smartphone market, rising 0.6% year-on-year in the third quarter thanks to strong demand for the iPhone 17. The visit also coincided with the upcoming launch of the iPhone Air, which recently received regulatory approval for eSIM functionality in China.
Chinese officials praised Apple’s role as a “stabilizer” in China-U.S. relations, underscoring that many global firms have “chosen China” and benefited both economies.
