Tariff Pressure Too Tough? Apple Hires American Airlines Veteran to Engage Trump Administration

According to foreign media reports on Wednesday (12th), Apple (AAPL-US) has hired Nate Gatten, a senior executive from American Airlines (AAL-US), as Vice President of Global Government Affairs. Leveraging his deep connections within the Republican Party, Gatten will help the company navigate its relationship with the Trump administration. As tariffs and overseas manufacturing become policy focal points, this appointment highlights Apple’s strategic realignment in government relations.

Jennifer Newstead, Apple’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel, announced in an internal memo that Gatten will assume his role on August 31, based in Cupertino, California, leading Apple’s global government affairs team and reporting directly to her. Former General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Kate Adams, will serve as an advisor until her retirement on October 1.

The leadership of Apple’s government affairs function has undergone several changes in recent years. This role was previously held by Lisa Jackson, former Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), who served in the Obama administration. Jackson joined Apple in 2013 and also oversaw environmental, policy, and social initiatives, helping the company advance goals such as carbon reduction.

However, the Trump administration’s two terms in office have introduced new challenges, particularly as the government seeks to impose tariffs on overseas manufactured goods—posing a direct threat to Apple, which heavily relies on Asian supply chains. In recent years, CEO Tim Cook has increasingly taken a personal role in managing relations with the White House.

Insiders reveal that Apple sought a candidate capable of maintaining consistent and smooth cooperation with the Trump administration. Gatten, a Republican, served as American Airlines’ head of government affairs from 2017 until his departure this week. Prior to that, he led global government relations and policy teams at JPMorgan Chase (JPM-US) and managed a team at Fannie Mae responsible for liaising with Republican members of Congress.

Gatten also brings real estate experience, which is expected to support Apple as it expands its retail stores and other operational sites. He is expected to work closely with Cook upon joining. Current government affairs lead Nick Ammann will now report to Gatten, with other team leaders—Tim Powderly, Matt Brown, and Mike Orgill—also falling under his management.

This appointment marks the latest step in Apple’s executive generational transition. The company also informed employees this week that the long-time head of Apple Pay and Wallet services will be stepping down. Cook is expected to hand over the CEO role to hardware engineering chief John Ternus on September 1, transitioning to Executive Chairman while continuing to engage in government affairs, including maintaining interactions with the Trump administration.