Overview

• China’s industry ministry said Tim Cook pledged to continue increasing Apple’s investment and deepen cooperation in a Beijing meeting on Oct. 15.
• The MIIT approved commercial eSIM trials for China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom this week, removing a key hurdle for the iPhone Air’s rollout in China.
• Minister Li Lecheng told Cook that China seeks a deeper Apple presence and will maintain a favorable environment for foreign firms.
• Apple did not offer details or comment on the scale or timing of new China spending, following earlier China-focused moves such as a 720 million yuan clean energy fund announced in March.
• The visit comes during heightened U.S.–China trade tensions, including tariff threats from President Trump, as Apple balances large U.S. investment pledges with reliance on Chinese manufacturing while diversifying to India and Vietnam.