Tim Cook presents Trump with a piece of glass on a golden stand, Trump is pleased

During a press conference at the White House, Apple CEO Tim Cook presented Donald Trump with a unique piece of memorabilia: a Corning glass disc mounted on a 24-carat gold stand. It bears Trump's name, Cook's signature and the inscription "Made in USA 2025". The event, as you might guess, is timed to coincide with the launch of Corning Gorilla Glass production in the US.

Apple is investing an additional $100bn in US production, and plans to bring its total commitment to an incredible $600bn over the next four years. Specifically, the glass for all iPhones and Apple Watch will now be produced in Kentucky. By the way, the stand is also local - made of gold mined in Utah.

Apple expresses loyalty for a reason. Donald Trump responded by exempting the company from some of the duties. The broad media gesture is a transparent hint, a demonstration of what everyone should do.

Say what you will, but fate is not without irony. Tim Cook is known for being the main initiator of the closure of American production in favour of overseas contractors after joining Apple in 1998. At the time, this revived the company's financial performance and it gradually became the most valuable company in the world from a pre-bankruptcy state. And now, 27 years later, Tim Cook has become the face of the campaign to bring manufacturing back to the US.

Another important fact is that Tim Cook needs good relationships more than ever. Apple has frankly overslept the artificial intelligence boom and is still lagging behind its competitors. This is causing dissatisfaction among shareholders and the company's board of directors. There have even been rumours that the company's management is considering possible successors to the CEO position. An amicable relationship with Trump could be Cook's trump card, providing him with a stable rear in the company. Unlike Intel, where Trump demonstrates the principle of the stick.