Jim Lo Scalzo and the Associated Press (Pool) President Trump speaks with Apple CEO Tim Cook because he calls him personally rather than hiring consultants to do so, Trump told reporters on Wednesday. Trump also referenced the recent conversation he had with Cook about how the tariffs on Chinese imports could impact Apple's ability to compete with Samsung. Cook and Trump have met several times over the past year amidst an ongoing trade war between the United States and China. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. President Trump said he takes calls from Apple CEO Tim Cook for a very simple reason: because he actually calls. "He calls me and the others don't," Trump said when speaking to reporters on Wednesday, as seen in a video from Fox Business.