Apple CEO, Not Scared About Next Tariffs, nor Does He Fear iPhone Declines
Apple's CEO isn't scared about the next tranche of tariffs that takes effect Dec. 15 on smartphones and other devices. Tim Cook's view is “very positive in terms of how things are going," he said on a call Wednesday on…
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Q4 ended Sept. 28. The tone of trade talks “has changed significantly, and I have long thought that it was in both countries’ best interests to get to an agreement that maybe initially doesn't solve everything but solves some things that each party may want,” he said of the U.S. and China. “I'm hopeful that that's where we're headed.” Cook highlighted the “recurring payment” model a growing number of iPhone users have adopted. He said the company wants to make that process easier, responding to a question on plans for bundling hardware and services, which the company is doing for the first time beginning Friday (see 1910310050). That Apple TV Plus service bundle is “a great way to get more people to see the content,” Cook said. Critics have noted limited content available. Though bundling won’t be a “pattern,” Cook said, “I wouldn't want to rule out for the future that we might not see another opportunity at some point.” The CEO was sanguine about iPhone’s 9 percent decline (see 1910310032), saying it's a “significant improvement” over the 15 percent decline in the year-ago quarter.