Bloomberg reports U.S. President Donald Trump and Apple CEO Tim Cook met in the Oval Office on Wednesday, talking trade in the middle of a U.S./China trade war, in what was described as a “good meeting” by White House staff.
Cook entered the White House just prior to the scheduled meeting time of 1:45pm local time. Cook also met with the president’s top economic adviser, Larry Kudlow. Cook left the White House around 2:30pm.
Deputy press secretary Raj Shah was quoted by CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins as stating that Cook and Trump had had “a good meeting.”
Cook and Apple environmental chief Lisa Jackson attended the state dinner held Tuesday night for French President Emmanuel Macron. The pair were seated at the president’s table.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in the afternoon press briefing that “the primary focus and purpose of the meeting is to discuss trade,” and that the meeting was scheduled well in advance.
A Wednesday morning report from Axios indicated Cook planned to discuss tariffs with the president, and also planned to “feel out the president more broadly when it comes to economic policy.”
Apple has yet to release any public information or comment about the meeting.