Katie Drummond expressed excitement over a recent promise made by Howard Lutnick, leading to a discussion about its feasibility. Michael Calore noted that while intriguing, such promises are unlikely to be realized in the short term. Lauren Goode referred to a statement made by Lutnick about an “army of millions” assembling products like iPhones with tiny screws, a remark made during his appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation.
In an archival audio clip, Howard Lutnick predicted that such detailed assembly work would eventually take place in America. Meanwhile, Michael Calore speculated about public commentary from notable figures like Elon Musk and Tim Cook on the situation, suggesting that Cook, in particular, has refrained from making public statements. Katie Drummond commended Tim Cook’s restraint, stating that Apple’s strategic approach involves working behind the scenes while maintaining a smooth public image.
Lauren Goode recalled a moment during a tech CEO gathering at an inauguration, where Tim Cook appeared notably less enthusiastic than others like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos. Drummond commented on Cook’s demeanor, interpreting it as reflective of Apple’s current challenges.
The conversation turned to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. Unlike Apple, Amazon does not focus on hardware but deals heavily in goods, raising questions about the impact of tariffs on its operations. Lauren Goode highlighted the removal of the de minimis exemption for goods shipped from China under a new tariff package, a move that could negatively impact e-commerce companies like Amazon.
When discussing the specifics of this exemption, Michael Calore clarified that it applies to goods costing less than $800, which previously avoided hefty import taxes. Goode confirmed this information, while Drummond contemplated the broader implications for Amazon compared to other companies like Tesla and Apple. Despite Amazon’s reliance on Chinese goods, Drummond argued that the company’s diverse business model, including Amazon Web Services, provides some insulation from the impact of tariffs. This point led to further discussion on how Amazon’s position might be less vulnerable relative to others in the tech industry.
