The US labor watchdog, under the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), has halted two cases against Apple following Trump’s nomination of Crystal Carey, a lawyer representing Apple, as the agency's general counsel. This move has raised significant concerns regarding corruption and the influence of corporate interests in government appointments. Critics argue that this development exemplifies a troubling pattern where corporate lawyers ascend to key regulatory positions, potentially compromising impartiality in labor disputes, especially as the situation unfolds amidst existing controversies regarding big tech and its relationship with the Trump administration. Notably, there are concerns about how regulatory actions might differ across regions, as the EU maintains a stricter stance on consumer regulations that Apple must comply with, despite apparent favoritism in the U.S., suggesting a complex and potentially divided marketplace for Apple products in the near future.