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Tim Cook to remain involved in Apple’s government relations around the world

Apple confirmed today that although Tim Cook will be leaving the role of Apple CEO come September, he’ll still be involved in a key area of the company. Here are the details.

Cook to remain engaged with policymakers

Ever since talks of Tim Cook’s retirement began to surface, one key aspect of his tenure as CEO became a major focus of discussion: his relationship with the US government and how this responsibility would fall to Apple’s next CEO, whoever they would be.

Today, Apple answered part of this question, announcing that under his new role as executive chairman, Cook will remain involved in the company’s global policy engagement:

As executive chairman, Cook will assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world.

Although widely expected, the news reinforces Cook’s outsized influence in government relations, particularly with the U.S. and China.

In the U.S., Cook has come under intense scrutiny over the past year for his ties to the Trump administration.

That included an infamous visit to the White House where he presented President Trump with a glass plaque mounted on a 24-karat gold base, as well as his attendance at a ‘Melania’ documentary screening just hours after ICE agents shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

Asked on Good Morning America about these issues, Tim Cook said he is “not a political person on either side.”

To read Apple’s full press release on the CEO transition, follow this link.

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Avatar for Marcus Mendes Marcus Mendes

Marcus Mendes is a Brazilian tech podcaster and journalist who has been closely following Apple since the mid-2000s.

He began covering Apple news in Brazilian media in 2012 and later broadened his focus to the wider tech industry, hosting a daily podcast for seven years.