"I
think it's important that China continues to open itself and
widens the door if you will," said Cook, speaking at the
government-sponsored China Development Forum.
Cook's comments come amid rising tensions between the U.S. and
China, with protectionist rhetoric from U.S. President Donald
Trump sparking concern of increased trade friction between the
two countries.
"The reality is countries that are closed, that isolate
themselves, it's not good for their people," said Cook, in a
rare public speech.
Apple said on Friday it will set up two new research and
development centers in Shanghai and Suzhou in China.
It has pledged to invest more than 3.5 billion yuan ($508
million) in research and development in China.
Apple has been singled out in Chinese media as a potential
target for retaliation in the event of a trade war.
The Global Times warned last November if Trump triggered a trade
war with China, Beijing would then target firms from Boeing to
Apple in a "tit-for-tat" approach.
(Reporting by Shu Zhang and Matthew Miller; Writing by Elias
Glenn; Editing by Julia Glover)
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