On May 26, The New York Times disclosed that just before President Trump's Middle East tour, the White House reached out to numerous CEOs of American companies, inviting them to accompany the President. However, Apple CEO Tim Cook declined the invitation. Sources close to the matter indicate that this decision seemingly incensed Trump, prompting him to criticize Cook on multiple occasions during the trip and subsequently announcing a 25% tariff on iPhones manufactured outside the United States.
