Much was written about the “strange” relationship between Apple CEO Tim Cook and Donald Trump during his first term in office. Two people in positions of power who could hardly be more different in personality and views work successfully together. In many cases, Cook managed to give Trump the headlines he wanted and in some cases received significant benefits for the company – although a public confession was often enough without actually making any major changes. In an interview, Cook spoke again about how that working relationship works. US government is “accessible”
Cook describes working with the Trump administration as “accessible and willing to talk.” You can present your point of view, be listened to and address political issues directly – even if that doesn’t mean reaching an agreement in the end. His central principle is inclusion rather than public outrage. He doesn’t believe in criticizing from outside or commenting loudly. In his view, progress comes more from sitting down at a table, talking to each other directly and trying to influence a complex political and regulatory environment.
“It’s about the issue, not the politics”
At the same time, Cook emphasizes that Apple’s values remain unchanged. He specifically mentions data protection, the environment, accessibility and education as constant guidelines. He therefore sees meeting with politicians who represent different views not as a contradiction, but as a necessary form of dialogue. He criticizes the strong polarization and believes that hardened fronts arise from the fact that different positions are no longer discussed with each other. Cook does not defend his pragmatic course towards Trump politically, but rather as a fact-oriented interest group (“I interact on policy, not politics”).
