The New York Times published a profile of Tim Cook and his increasing role as a statesman between President Trump and China over trade policy negotiations. The piece included reporting that cites a source saying the White House does not plan to tax imported iPhones assembled in China, but today a White House advisor has denied knowledge of such an exclusion. Separately, Tim Cook has publicly spoken out against the administration’s immigration policy of separating families at the border — adding that Apple plans to be a “constructive voice” on the issue. The Irish Times reports that the Apple CEO made the comments during a public appearance overseas: Speaking in Dublin on Tuesday, Mr Cook described the situation as “inhumane” and said Apple would be working with people in the US government to try to be a “constructive voice” on the issue. “It’s heartbreaking to see the images and hear the sounds of the kids. Kids are the most vulnerable people in any society. I think that what’s happening is inhumane, it needs to stop,” Mr Cook told The Irish Times. We’ve always felt everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. In this case, that’s not happening.” Apple has strategically taken public policy positions on issues that it views as directly affecting the company — including previous contentious immigration policies of the current administration — but Apple has not been as vocal on the border separation issue yet. It sounds like that will change soon. And on the topic of trade tariffs affecting iPhone imports, this is what The New York Times reported just yesterday: The Trump administration has told Mr. Cook that it would not place tariffs on iPhones, which are assembled in China, according to a person familiar with the talks who declined to speak on the record for fear of upsetting negotiations. While that may be accurate, at least one White House official has denied knowledge of such an exemption for Apple, CNBC reports: White House trade advisor Peter Navarro said Tuesday he has no knowledge of an exemption for Apple’s iPhones in U.S. trade talks with China. The Trump administration is reportedly eyeing a 10% tax on certain Chinese exports. We’ll update as this story develops over the coming days. Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news: FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:<doc-sep>Apple’s CEO has joined the chorus opposed to the Trump administration’s policy of separating the children of illegal immigrants from their parents at the U.S. border. He called the practice “inhumane.” Tim Cook appears to have President Donald Trump’s ear. The two have met face-to-face, and Trump promised Cook there’d be no tariffs on iPhones assembled in China, even though trade barriers are going up on billions of dollars of Chinese products. The two don’t see eye-to-eye on immigration policy though. The Apple top executive strongly criticized the U.S. government’s latest move to stem illegal immigration: separating families at the U.S. Mexico border. Tim Cook calls policy “tragic” “It’s heartbreaking to see the images and hear the sounds of the kids. Kids are the most vulnerable people in any society. I think that what’s happening is inhumane, it needs to stop,” Cook told The Irish Times. He promised to do all he could. “I’m personally a big believer in the way to be a good citizen is to participate, is to try to advocate your point of view, not to just sit on the sideline and yell or complain.” Cook generally supports progressive causes. He recently paid tribute to Martin Luther King, he’s a strong supporter of privacy rights, and he protested the end of the DACA program. That said, Apple’s CEO is strongly in favor of the recent Republican tax cuts.<doc-sep>Apple CEO Tim Cook called the Trump administration’s policy of separating children from their parents at the United States border “inhumane” during remarks he made in Dublin on Tuesday, according to The Irish Times. “It’s heartbreaking to see the images and hear the sounds of the kids,” Cook said. “Kids are the most vulnerable people in any society. I think that what’s happening is inhumane. It needs to stop.” Among technology companies, Microsoft and Airbnb both voiced strong disagreement with the policy on Monday. With his public remarks, Cook joins the ongoing national outcry from US citizens, politicians, and business leaders who have sharply criticized the Trump administration for a rise in family separations since April. Nearly 2,000 children were separated from their parents from April through May, according to the Department of Homeland Security, after the US Justice Department implemented a “zero tolerance policy” for border-crossing offenses. Yesterday, audio obtained by ProPublica of children crying at one of the holding facilities quickly spread across social media and stirred yet more outrage over the separations. “We’ve always felt everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. In this case, that’s not happening,” Cook said. “This one in particular is just heartbreaking and tragic.” Apple’s chief executive said the company would engage with the White House to advocate its point of view. “I have spoken with him several times on several issues, and I have found him to listen,” Cook said of President Trump. “I haven’t found that he will agree on all things.” One of those disagreements came in May, when Cook reportedly urged Trump to remain in the 2015 Paris climate agreement. The president ultimately withdrew the United States from the world’s largest climate commitment. Cook has also been a strong supporter of “Dreamers,” the children of undocumented immigrants who are working in the United States. In December, he published an op-ed imploring Congress to pass legislation to secure their future in the US.<doc-sep>
James Martin/CNET The Trump administration is facing intense criticism over its "zero tolerance" immigration policy that has resulted in the separation of children from their parents who illegally crossed the US-Mexico border. One report estimates that almost 2,000 children have been separated from their families. And Apple CEO Tim Cook won't stand for it. Cook, who was visiting Dublin on Tuesday, called the practice "inhumane" and "heartbreaking," reports The Irish Times. He also told the publication: "It's heartbreaking to see the images and hear the sounds of the kids. Kids are the most vulnerable people in any society. I think that what's happening is inhumane, it needs to stop. I'm personally a big believer in the way to be a good citizen is to participate, is to try to advocate your point of view, not to just sit on the sideline and yell or complain. That will be the approach we will take here. This one in particular is just heartbreaking and tragic." Cook has met with US President Donald Trump on several occasions. Trump reportedly told Cook during a recent meeting that the US government wouldn't levy tariffs on iPhones, which are assembled in China. Besides Cook, plenty of other people are speaking out against the immigration policy. A California couple, Charlotte and Dave Willner, set up a fundraiser on Facebook to aid immigrant children and their families. Since launching on Saturday, the fundraiser has become the largest ever on Facebook, raising nearly $5 million. Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Special Reports: All of CNET's most in-depth features in one easy spot. It's Complicated: This is dating in the age of apps. Having fun yet? These stories get to the heart of the matter.