Apple CEO Tim Cook gifts US President Donald Trump with a personalised glass plaque featuring a 24-karat gold base in the official ceremony held at the White House.
The gift exchange follows Apple’s commitment to invest $600 billion in the US over the next four years. Initially, Tim Cook promised to invest $500 billion and hire almost 20,000 workers across the country during that period.
However, the pledge was raised as Trump announced that Apple plans to invest an additional $100 billion in US jobs and suppliers, bringing the total of the company to $600 billion.
During the Oval Office news conference, Trump described the expansion of Apple as “historic” underscoring the company’s plan to build “the largest and most sophisticated smart glass production line in the world.”
The 47th US president also unveiled that Apple will source future iPhone and Apple Watch cover glass from Corning’s facility in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.
During the press conference, Trump also invited Cook to showcase the product that is linked with Apple’s Kentucky venture.
Cook then presented the striking glass sculpture mounted on a dazzling gold base.
Reports noted that: “Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook gave President Donald Trump a customized plaque with a 24-karat gold base during an Oval Office news conference Wednesday, moments before Trump announced that Apple will invest an additional $100 billion in U.S. jobs and suppliers.”
The event also had a light-hearted moment as Trump once famously quoted Cook as “Tim Apple.”
The meeting focuses on Apple’s economic contributions, with Trump underlining the significant role Apple plays in enhancing American manufacturing.