Apple CEO Tim Cook and hardware chief John Ternus held a virtual meeting with Markus Söder, the Minister-President of Bavaria. The discussion focused on Apple's investment and job creation in the region, with Söder noting the company now employs over 2,000 people in Munich.

Söder also used the meeting to voice concerns about EU overregulation, particularly in the areas of AI and data protection. He suggested that such regulations could hinder technological progress, a sentiment that aligns with Apple's own criticisms regarding the delayed launch of its new Siri AI features in the European Union.

The meeting's timing is significant, following reports of Cook engaging with EU officials on similar regulatory disputes. Söder emphasized Bavaria's status as a tech hub, referring to it as "Europe's Silicon Valley", and stressed the importance of fostering innovation to secure jobs and economic value.