Apple CEO Gifts a "Symbolic" Present to Trump: A Glass Plaque on a 24-Karat Gold Stand

In a gesture that was both diplomatic and symbolic, Apple CEO Tim Cook presented U.S. President Donald Trump with a unique gift: a distinctive glass plaque mounted on a 24-karat gold stand. The plaque, which features the Apple logo, was produced at a Corning factory in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, and represents a promise that this glass will soon be the cover for all new iPhones and Apple Watches. This presentation coincided with Apple's announcement of an additional $100 billion investment to expand its operations in the U.S., during a ceremony held in the Oval Office.

Local Investment as a Response to Trump's Pressure

This move is a clear response to President Trump's continuous pressure on tech giants to bring manufacturing back to the United States. During the ceremony, Cook announced Apple's commitment that "very soon—and for the first time ever—every new iPhone and every new Apple Watch sold anywhere in the world will have a cover glass manufactured in Kentucky." Cook mentioned that the specific glass plaque given to Trump was a one-of-a-kind piece designed by a former U.S. Marine corporal now working at Apple.

This new investment adds to Apple's previous pledge of $500 billion to expand its domestic presence, a period during which the company faced billions of dollars in added costs due to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on its trade partners.

Tariff Strategy Encourages Domestic Manufacturing

Trump used the event to reinforce his tariff strategy, threatening to impose 100% tariffs on internationally manufactured semiconductors and chips. However, he reassured companies that had "committed" to manufacturing in the U.S. that they would be exempt from these duties. Trump praised Apple, interpreting its new investment as a sign that "Apple is coming back to America."

Cook, however, acknowledged that fully assembling the iPhone in the U.S. remains an elusive goal. Instead, the company is focusing on manufacturing key components domestically. This approach, which seems to satisfy Trump for now, includes creating a comprehensive silicon supply chain in the U.S., from design to production and packaging. Apple expects to produce more than 19 billion chips for its products by 2025, manufactured across 24 facilities in 12 states.