Tim Cook – Apple Inc. AAPL CEO – reported good news at the annual shareholders’ meeting in Cupertino on February 28, 2017. He reported that the company has gained important takeaways. These may be the result of its investment for manufacturing in the United States, which counted over $50 billions. He further said that the company has created around 2 million jobs, which including manufacturing jobs.

Apple Inc has shown very good performance during the last few years. It has outperformed the market through its main products, iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, during the last six months. It has registered an average growth of 27.5% in 2016. The company outperformed Zacks Computer Mini industry that recorded a growth of 26.48% at the same period.

Apple Inc Is Committed to Help the Country

To support the operations of its newly opened manufacturing facilities, Apple Inc collaborates with several key suppliers in the United States, such as Minnesota-based manufacturer, 3M, which supplies adhesives and corning Incorporated GLW that supplies glass screen for Apple’s iPhones. Cook admitted that the company can only exist in the United States; therefore, the company prioritizes hiring the local work force (almost 70%).

As reported earlier, the company is under intensive scrutiny by President Donald Trump.  The scrutiny is related to the manufacturing issue. The President opposes the company’s decision to manufacture goods overseas. Trump said that the decision is not consistent with his mission to bring more jobs back to the United States.

Accordingly, the President promised to urge Apple Inc to change its policy and support the government target to provide the US workforce with more jobs. He even said that one of its success measures is when Apple builds many large factories in the United States, instead of in other countries, such as China or Vietnam.

Is Apple Heading to the US?

Cook reported that the company is committed to support the government’s regulation. However, Apple Inc is also concerned with the increased prices of finished products when it manufacturers its goods in the US. In fact, the payroll rates are generally higher in this country. The good news is that the President promises to provide huge tax cuts for tech companies, such as Apple Inc, which are heading to the US.

In line with Apple’s objective to bring jobs back to the US, its biggest supplier, Foxconn Technology Group, was reported to have set a plan to build a manufacturing plant in the country. Foxconn is setting to invest more than $7 billion in the US. However, no further details are available on Foxconn’s plan.

Apple also aims at developing products that will provide new sources of revenue. Despite lack of detailed information, it is widely known that the company is looking forward to extending its businesses to other sectors, such as automation and AR.

When asked about neutrality aspect, Tim Cook said that the company is neutral. It is not going to advantage one group while treating another group in an unfair way. During the last administration, Apple hold net neutrality as Barack Obama wanted so. However, Trump did not share his views on this aspect.