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Tim Cook reaffirms Apple’s commitment to China amid U.S.-China trade tensions

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Apple CEO Tim Cook pledged to increase the company’s investment in China during a meeting with China’s Industry Minister Li Lecheng in Beijing on Wednesday, signaling Apple’s intent to strengthen its presence in its most crucial manufacturing hub despite rising geopolitical tensions.

According to an official Chinese summary, Cook said Apple would continue to invest in China, though details of the scale or focus of the investment were not disclosed. The move comes as many U.S. firms tread cautiously between Beijing and Washington, with U.S. President Donald Trump pushing for domestic manufacturing and imposing tariffs that have strained global supply chains.

Apple has so far avoided the direct fallout of the trade war, unlike other tech firms such as Nvidia and Qualcomm, which have faced regulatory challenges in China. Still, the iPhone maker must balance its relationships carefully — reassuring Washington of its “American Manufacturing Program,” while maintaining ties with Chinese suppliers that produce the bulk of its devices.

Earlier this week, Apple COO Sabih Khan visited Lens Technology, a longtime Chinese supplier of iPhone glass components, while Cook toured Apple’s Shanghai store and met with local developers and designers. Apple’s sales in China rose 0.6% year-on-year in the third quarter, aided by strong demand for the iPhone 17 series, making it the only top-three smartphone brand in the country to post growth.

China’s industry minister expressed optimism that Apple would “continue to explore the Chinese market and grow together with Chinese suppliers,” emphasizing Beijing’s intent to sustain a favorable environment for foreign businesses.

Apple urges India to revise tax law that could hinder its expansion plans

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Apple is lobbying the Indian government to amend an income tax law that could expose the company to billions in additional taxes over equipment ownership, according to sources familiar with the matter. The U.S. tech giant seeks to ensure it is not taxed for owning high-end iPhone assembly machinery used by its contract manufacturers, such as Foxconn and Tata, as it ramps up production in India.

The push comes as Apple expands its footprint beyond China, where it traditionally owns production equipment but faces no tax liability. Under India’s 1961 Income Tax Act, however, such ownership would create a “business connection,” potentially subjecting Apple’s global iPhone profits to Indian taxes.

Executives have held discussions with Indian officials in recent months to seek changes to the law, warning that current regulations could stall future growth. “If the legacy law is changed, it will become easy for Apple to expand … India can become more competitive globally,” one industry source said.

India’s government is cautiously reviewing Apple’s request, balancing its need for foreign investment with the protection of its taxation rights. A senior official said talks are ongoing, calling it “a tough call,” but added that India “needs investments” and aims to find a workable solution.

Analysts note that specialized iPhone assembly equipment can cost billions of dollars — far beyond what local manufacturers can finance — underscoring the urgency of Apple’s appeal. The lobbying highlights the stakes as India seeks to position itself as a global smartphone manufacturing hub while maintaining fiscal sovereignty.

Apple defies slowdown with higher iPhone shipments in China thanks to iPhone 17

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Apple’s shipments in China rose slightly in the third quarter, boosted by strong demand for its new iPhone 17 series, according to data released by research firm IDC. Shipments grew 0.6% year-on-year to 10.8 million units, giving Apple a 15.8% share of China’s smartphone market and securing its position as the country’s second-largest vendor.

Overall, China’s smartphone market continued to face weak demand, with total shipments falling 0.6% to 68.4 million units in the third quarter, following a 4% drop in the previous quarter. Despite the sluggish environment, Apple outperformed rivals, becoming the only brand among China’s top three vendors to post growth during the period.

IDC analyst Will Wong credited the success to Apple’s “value-for-money” iPhone 17 base model, which appealed to cost-conscious consumers while maintaining premium quality. By contrast, Huawei’s shipments slipped 1% to 10.4 million units, placing it third, and Xiaomi’s fell 1.7% to 10 million units, ranking fourth. Market leader Vivo saw a sharper decline of 7.8%, down to 11.8 million units.

IDC expects the Chinese smartphone market to recover modestly in early Q4, driven by the release of new flagship models launched in recent months.