President Donald Trump has responded to a request from Apple Inc., which reportedly asked the administration for tariff relief on components for a new Mac Pro desktop computer which will go on sale later this year, starting at $5999. The tech company recently moved production of the Mac Pro from Texas, where it has been manufactured since 2013, to China. The high-end desktop computer was the sole remaining Apple product to be assembled in the United States.
And because it’s Trump, he naturally made this proclamation on Twitter.
“Apple will not be given Tariff waiver, or relief, for Mac Pro parts that are made in China,” the president tweeted on Friday. “Make them in the USA, no Tariffs!”
Apple will not be given Tariff waiver, or relief, for Mac Pro parts that are made in China. Make them in the USA, no Tariffs!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2019
Bloomberg initially reported the news earlier this week that Apple was looking to cut back on duties on key components for the forthcoming model:
The Cupertino, California-based technology giant is seeking relief from duties of 25% on key Mac Pro parts and accessories that go with it, ranging from the stainless steel and aluminum frame, power supplies, internal cables and circuit boards, and its optional wheels, according to filings posted by the Office of U.S. Trade Representative. The documents don’t specifically mention the Mac Pro, but the features and dimensions listed by Apple in the filing closely resemble the planned computer.
As usual, people couldn’t wait to point out the irony of Trump and his family getting getting tariff relief while manufacturing their own merchandise in China, or the fact that this latest screed was literally tweeted from an iPhone … Not to mention that his original tweet misspelled “waiver.” Either way, “Tim Apple” predictably once again began trending on Twitter.
Tim Apple should activate the kill switch 😜 pic.twitter.com/nHySYicA11
— Christine (@ChristineEliaz) July 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/BettyBowers/status/1154776934859116544
Trump won’t give Tim Apple tariff waivers for Apple parts from China because he wants them made in the USA.
Also Trump: pic.twitter.com/KYUMfcqWqW
— Rodney (@rodneyn95) July 26, 2019
Trump's products, wives or twitter followers are not made in the USA.
— Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) July 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/NicoleKenza/status/1154775502009192448
But Tim Apple won’t get a “waver.” https://t.co/qvSRKWoJVf via @thinkprogress
— Terri (@SocialTerri) July 26, 2019
Tim Apple Tariff Waver pic.twitter.com/t9K6b5nBJk
— Mr Texas (@RGVCritic) July 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/SantaInc/status/1154777191286075393
#IvankaTrump’s flammable clothing line is made in China. pic.twitter.com/FyZYyZIHU8
— Jules Morgan 🧸 (@glamelegance) July 26, 2019
Trump made sure that both his Trump apparel and Ivanka’s were exempt from Tariffs. pic.twitter.com/jZLL7O1t44
— Dane Southard (@Ohdaneit) July 26, 2019
When are you and #Ivanka gonna stop making YOUR products in China?? #Trump
— Andy Ostroy (@AndyOstroy) July 26, 2019
All of your shitty products are made in China, Spanky.
The hypocrisy is astounding. pic.twitter.com/spfamuJJ53
— BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) July 26, 2019
“Tim Apple” has yet to respond to Trump’s latest outburst, but we can probably all guess what he’s thinking.