Chinese Commerce Minister Meets Apple CEO Cook, Urges Greater Investment in China
China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on Thursday hosted a meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook, calling for deeper bilateral cooperation and increased Apple investment in China amid ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China.
Wang welcomed Apple's continued presence in China and emphasized Beijing's commitment to high-level openness, vowing to improve the business environment to make it more welcoming to foreign companies.
"We hope the U.S. side will work with China, through equal dialogue and consultation, to find solutions that provide more stable expectations and environments for companies to cooperate," Wang said, referring to recent disruptions in Sino‑U.S. trade relations. He said that since May, trade teams from both countries have held four rounds of talks under the strategic guidance of the two nations' heads of state. He added that recent U.S. restrictions on Chinese trade have damaged China's interests and hurt the atmosphere for further negotiations.
Cook responded by reiterating Apple's long-term commitment to China. "Apple will continue to deeply root itself in China, participate actively in China's high‑quality development," he said. He also said robust U.S.-China trade relations are not just vital for both countries-but for global economic stability too.
As the two sides exchange signals of openness, all eyes will be on whether Apple-already one of the largest foreign investors in China-expands its onshore manufacturing and supply chain footprint despite growing geopolitical headwinds.
