Apple CEO Tim Cook Signed a secret deal with China about five years ago, The Information reported. According to the publication, under the agreement, Cook pledged $ 275 billion to the country, in order to ensure that Beijing did not create their steps, after banning the use of iTunes and threatening to do the same for other services of the company – Appstore, Apple Pay and iCloud.
The length of the agreement is 1,250 words, and it is defined as a “memorandum of understanding” between Apple, and the Representation for National Development and Reforms in China. The report, which is based on interviews and internal documents of the company, also shows that Apple has promised to invest, among other things, in building new stores, in establishing research and development centers, and in projects in the field of energy. According to another clause, the company undertook to integrate more components from Chinese manufacturers, sign agreements with local developers, cooperate with Chinese universities and invest directly in companies in the country.
As mentioned, the difficulties with China are very important to Apple for a number of reasons: most of the iPhones are manufactured in its territory and it is one of its largest markets. Relations with Beijing have in the past led to criticism of Apple, when among other things it was reported earlier this year that in order to please the administration, the company agreed to reduce the privacy protections for users of its devices in the country. The New York Times also reported that since 2017, more than 50,000 apps have been removed from Chinese Appstore, leaving them available to users worldwide.
Apple declined to comment for this report
.