Apple’s CEO Tim Cook marked a high-profile meeting at the White House on Wednesday (August 7) with a lavish and symbolic gesture — gifting President Donald Trump a one-of-a-kind statue crafted with 24K gold and precision glass. The presentation came just moments before Apple detailed a sweeping $2.5 billion commitment tied to its broader $100 billion US investment plan.
The press conference, centred on Apple’s new manufacturing initiatives, offered a rare glimpse into Cook’s flair for symbolic design. The gift featured a large, circular piece of custom glass — sourced from Corning, the long-time supplier behind the iPhone’s signature display — set into a gold base. The glass bore the Apple logo, Trump’s name, and the phrase “Made in the USA.”
Cook explained that the piece was designed by a former US Marine Corps corporal now working at Apple. The gesture comes after years of trade tensions, during which Trump had warned tech manufacturers of potential tariffs if production remained overseas.
Apple’s announcement underscored the company’s strategic pivot towards deepening its US footprint. The $100 billion investment — an expansion of its existing commitments — will now total $600 billion over the next four years. A major part of this pledge includes the launch of the American Manufacturing Program (AMP), aimed at bolstering advanced manufacturing and encouraging more of the global supply chain to shift critical component production to US soil.
“Today, we’re proud to increase our investments across the United States to $600 billion over four years and launch our new American Manufacturing Program,” Cook said in a statement. “This includes new and expanded work with 10 companies across America. They produce components that are used in Apple products sold all over the world, and we’re grateful to the President for his support.”
Apple’s Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan reinforced the company’s vision for American innovation, emphasising the importance of the domestic chip-making ecosystem. “We want America to lead in this critical industry,” Khan said. “Our expanded efforts will strengthen a silicon manufacturing network that benefits innovators across the country, from research and development to final fabrication.”
The announcement positions Apple not only as a global technology leader but also as a key player in the push to revitalise high-tech manufacturing within the United States.
