US President Donald Trump has met with Apple chief executive Tim Cook to discuss trade issues as the technology industry grapples with a US spat over import tariffs with China, a manufacturing hub for the iPhone maker and other companies.
Trump, in a morning tweet on Wednesday, said he was looking forward to seeing Cook. "We will be talking about many things, including how the US has been treated unfairly for many years, by many countries, on trade," he wrote.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on Wednesday afternoon that the meeting was under way, and that "the primary focus" was to discuss trade. A White House official said later the meeting had concluded, but there was no word yet on details of the discussions.
Earlier, Apple did not respond to a request for comment about what topics Cook planned to cover.
Apple, the world's largest technology company, and other hardware makers have deep ties with China, where many of their products are built for export around the world. Cook urged an easing of US-China tensions and called for more open trade after the trade dispute flared last month between the world's two largest economies.
Trump announced about $US50 billion in planned tariffs on certain Chinese imports, China retaliated with proposed tariffs on some American goods and Trump responded that the US could counter with $US100 billion in additional levies.
US and Chinese officials have been working to resolve the dispute. On Tuesday, Trump said there was "a very good chance" the two countries could reach a deal as a US delegation prepared to head to China in a few days.
Trump's first round of import tariffs excluded most consumer electronics. But the second could have a more direct impact on US shoppers by targeting mobile phones, computers and other consumer goods and prompting price increases at Apple stores and other US retailers.
A White House official said Cook also met on Wednesday with the director of the White House National Economic Council, Larry Kudlow. Additionally, CNBC broadcast footage of him heading from the White House to the US Trade Representative's Office.
