NEW YORK (REUTERS) - US President Donald Trump said on Sunday (Aug 18) that he has spoken with Apple Inc's Chief Executive Tim Cook about the impact of US tariffs on Chinese imports as well as competition from South Korean company Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.

Mr Trump said Mr Cook "made a good case" that tariffs could hurt Apple given that Samsung's products would not be subject to those same tariffs.

Tariffs on an additional US$300 billion (S$416 billion) worth of Chinese goods, including consumer electronics, are scheduled to go into effect in two stages on Sept 1 and Dec 15.

"I thought he made a very compelling argument, so I'm thinking about it," Mr Trump said.

Mr Trump made the comments while speaking with reporters on the tarmac at the Morristown, New Jersey, airport.

Apple was not immediately available for comment outside normal business hours.