Cook meets Commerce secretary Lutnick

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook met Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington on Monday, one week after Apple announced its top leadership transition. (macrumors.com) (9to5mac.com) The Commerce Department disclosed the meeting on X on April 27 and said Lutnick “wished him well” while praising Cook’s leadership and contributions to American technology. (9to5mac.com) (macrumors.com) Apple said on April 20 that Cook will stop serving as chief executive on September 1, 2026, and that hardware engineering chief John Ternus will take over. Cook will become executive chairman. (apple.com) Apple also said Cook’s new job will include “engaging with policymakers around the world,” making this Washington visit an early look at how his role is changing before September. (apple.com) (9to5mac.com) Cook’s meeting with Lutnick came after months of Apple outreach to the Trump administration on trade and manufacturing. Reuters reported in April 2025 that Cook spoke with Lutnick about tariffs that could raise iPhone prices. (finance.yahoo.com) The White House said in March that Apple had pledged $600 billion for U.S. manufacturing and workforce training, part of a broader administration push to bring more production onshore. (whitehouse.gov) MacRumors reported this was Cook’s first high-level Trump administration meeting since Apple disclosed the succession plan. The same report said Cook told employees he expects to stay at Apple “for a long time” as chairman. (macrumors.com) Cook was also in Washington for a White House event tied to King Charles III’s visit, underscoring that he is staying visible in official circles as the handoff to Ternus approaches. (9to5mac.com) The immediate next date is September 1, when Ternus becomes chief executive and Cook shifts into the chairman role Apple says will keep him in front of governments worldwide. (apple.com)