<div id="readability-page-1"><div><div>Apple AAPL CEO Tim Cook earned the title of &#34;tech’s Trump whisperer&#34; in the president’s first term, and he just may have shown why.Cook gifted President Donald Trump a glass plaque with a 24-karat gold base on Aug. 6. The move came as he announced at the White House that Apple would invest $100 billion in the U.S. over the next four years, adding to the $500 billion the company had announced in February.The plaque was engraved with Trump’s name, a reference to Apple's U.S. manufacturing efforts, Cook’s signature and the phrase &#34;MADE IN USA.&#34;Don't Miss:<ul> <li>The same firms that backed Uber, Venmo and eBay are investing in this pre-IPO company disrupting a $1.8T market — and you can too at just $2.90/share.</li> <li>Bill Gates Warned About Water Scarcity. This Award-Winning Device Just Might Fix It — And You Can Invest Early</li> </ul>&#34;It’s a unique unit of one,&#34; Cook said. He pointed out that the glass came from U.S. glass maker Corning GLW and that the base came from Utah. What’s more? Cook said it was all designed by a former U.S. Marine who now works for Apple.&#34;Thank you very much, it’s fantastic,&#34; Trump said.Cook’s gift may offer a masterclass on how to curry favor with the president, combining two things of apparent symbolic importance to Trump: gold and the military.From golden tweezers to gold merchandise and, most recently, the gold card visa, Trump’s love for gold is well documented. In the same vein, he is also known for his love of displays of military might, though his treatment of veterans has come under question.<div><div><div>Trending Investment Opportunities</div></div></div>Trending: ‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can invest today for just $0.30/share.But Cook’s gift also adds to mounting legal and ethical concerns about Trump accepting gifts from foreign governments and business leaders seeking to curry favor. Still, the White House continues to deny any wrongdoing on the part of the president.&#34;Elected leaders and business titans from around the world are traveling to the Oval Office to make historic investments into America because of President Trump’s bold vision,&#34; White House spokesperson Davis Ingle told Axios. &#34;Often these leaders are eager to share gifts highlighting the exciting work they are doing.&#34;Nonetheless, for Cook and Apple, the recent presentation has had the desired effect. During the meeting, Trump announced plans for a 100% tariff on semiconductor chips, adding that Apple would be exempt from the charge.&#34;The good news for companies like Apple is if you’re building in the United States or have committed to build in the United States, there will be no charge,&#34; Trump said.Despite this major U.S. commitment and a personal exemption from new chip tariffs, Apple still faces significant challenges navigating the global trade landscape created by Trump. Cook said in May that tariffs on goods from India and Vietnam could add $900 million to its costs in its fiscal Q2.Image: Shutterstock</div></div></div>

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Apple CEO Tim Cook presented President Trump with a glass plaque featuring a 24-karat gold base, coinciding with the announcement of a $100 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing over the next four years. This gift, symbolizing Apple's commitment to U.S. production, was crafted by U.S. companies and designed by a former Marine. While the gesture aims to strengthen ties with the Trump administration, it raises ethical concerns regarding gifts from business leaders. Trump announced that Apple would be exempt from new tariffs on semiconductor chips, benefiting from its U.S. investment commitment.

- Apple CEO Tim Cook presented President Donald Trump with a glass plaque and announced a $100 billion investment in the U.S. over four years.  
- The gift, symbolizing U.S. manufacturing, was designed by a former U.S. Marine and included materials sourced from American companies.  
- Despite the investment and exemption from new tariffs, Apple faces challenges from global trade dynamics, with potential costs from tariffs on goods from India and Vietnam.

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Along With $100 Billion U.S. Manufacturing Commitment, Apple's Tim Cook Gifted Trump A Glass 'Made In USA' Plaque On 24-Karat Gold