You can bet that they’ve got experts advising on this and have probably war-gamed different scenarios. Given how hugely exposed Apple is to the geopolitics that Trump cares about, and as Trump could cost them huge amounts on a whim, he’s probably right to be inoffensive and obsequious.
We are not discussing what would be good for Tim Cook personal wealth and career. Topic is having backbone, courage or moral values. Or, not having them.
This "behind closed doors" crap is about CEO wanting to be seen as being in opposition and as in support simultaneously.
And actually, I’m now forgetting if those tariffs are in play on phones again or not because of how chaotically the tariffs have been applied. I can’t be the only one losing track.
Let’s assume the tariffs are in play though. Apple now has to perform some combination of:
- reduce margins on devices sold in the US
- move manufacturing to a lower-tariffed country
- raise prices to offset tariffs
All of these impose unnecessary costs to the company compared to 9 months ago and risk alienating their consumer base. How is this to the benefit of shareholders?
Tariffs make it harder to justify US investments, automakers and suppliers warn
bix6•4mo ago
supriyo-biswas•4mo ago
Long term though, I wonder how many companies would just close down, and worse yet, whether America would continue to maintain its soft power. The so-called trade deficits were instruments, if used carefully, could have brought about reform, and yet the its current leader continues to squander it away, pushing countries further towards an Asian power that has typically not been well known for democratic values (although, again, given the recent actions in America, who’d have thought it’s possible in America either!)
platevoltage•4mo ago
bix6•4mo ago
paool•4mo ago
bix6•4mo ago
mikestew•4mo ago
Beats me, you got any idea? I know how many I’d like them to lose, but for all I know I was the single household that cancelled Hulu, and wrote a strongly-worded letter (yes, as in I had to go find a stamp).
warpspin•4mo ago
bix6•4mo ago
watwut•4mo ago
kccoder•4mo ago
Every person and every company which cares about democracy, freedom, … should collectively stand up to these bullies. They aren’t smart, they aren’t tough; they’re greedy, undisciplined, unethical, amoral, narcissistic, thin-skinned, unintelligent bullies. They whine and moan and will crumble if we just stood up to them. So why don’t we?
watwut•4mo ago
buggrm84•4mo ago
"Bernie Sanders is barely a good start" types like myself were trained not to tell these guys off at work and the like as in the past.
Imo there's a value to shit talking and taking the piss out of people. A necessary reminder if there is indeed a center to the universe to measure for truth relative to, it isn't them.