Trump increased duties on goods brought into the US. Now, he’s turning his attention to exports, raising concerns over a ‘disturbing example’ | The Trump government

In a surprise visit to the White House, Apple CEO Tim Cook presented an unusual gift to Donald Trump. Cook unveiled a glass plaque, crafted in California, with a base made of 24-karat gold sourced from Utah. Trump appeared genuinely touched by the offering. However, the gift wasn’t the only announcement Apple made. The company pledged to invest an additional $100 billion in US manufacturing, receiving permission from Trump to exempt Apple from impending tariffs on imported computer chips. This move is reminiscent of Trump’s approach to brokering agreements with powerful tech companies amid his ongoing trade war, echoing the real estate transactions that catapulted him to fame. Recently, the arrangement took a new turn when the administration allowed Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) to sell certain artificial intelligence chips to Chinese companies, contingent on them sharing 15% of their revenue with the US government. Experts warn this deal, creating perception that export controls are up for sale, could destabilize trading relations and set a dangerous precedent. Additionally, concerns about national security and the potential implication on the reputation of tech companies for privacy and security have been raised regarding the deal’s impact. The decision-making approach at the White House now seems more transaction-based than following institutional rules and guidelines.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/17/trump-tariffs-imports-exports-ai