President Donald Trump said Friday that Apple will not receive special treatment for Mac Pro components made in China.
Apple submitted multiple requests asking the Trump administration to exclude certain Mac Pro parts from a 25% import tariff. But Trump says the U.S. government will not extend any special waivers or relief to Cupertino.
“Make them in the USA,” Trump tweeted.
Apple’s proudly assembled the current “trash can” Mac Pro in Austin, Texas. But the company will build its brand-new powerhouse computer, which will arrive later this year, in China alongside most of its other products.
Apple argues that it can find no other sources for the propriety components the new Mac Pro requires. But while Apple says that makes U.S. manufacturing impossible, Trump apparently lacks sympathy for Cupertino’s predicament.
Trump declines Mac Pro request
“Apple will not be given Tariff wavers [sic], or relief, for Mac Pro parts that are made in China,” Trump tweeted Friday. “Make them in the USA, no Tariffs!”
It’s a message Apple CEO Tim Cook won’t enjoy seeing when he scrolls through his Twitter timeline this morning.
Apple previously stressed that Trump’s tariffs could push prices for its products even higher, making it more difficult for the company to compete with rivals internationally.
Trump promised that certain components would be spared the fees if companies could prove they cannot be sourced elsewhere. But it seems Trump remains unconvinced when it comes to the Mac Pro.
Apple already spared some tariffs
Some of the parts Apple sought exceptions for are the Mac Pro’s structural frame, data cables, GPU module, power supply, CPU heatsink and partially completed logic board.
Most Apple products escaped import fees so far. However, Trump recently proposed a new $300 billion round of tariffs that would impact almost every product manufactured in China.
While those tariffs are not yet in effect, it looks like Apple’s luck is already starting to run out. And that’s bad news for all of us as Apple customers.
