Former US President and Republican leader Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Apple over its growing manufacturing operations in India, stating that iPhones sold in the US must be made domestically — or face a tariff of at least 25%.
In a post on social media on Friday morning, Trump said he had “long ago informed” Apple CEO Tim Cook that iPhones meant for the US market should not be manufactured in India or anywhere else outside the United States. “If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the US,” he declared.
The remarks follow a recent meeting between Trump and Cook, during which the former president reportedly expressed his frustration with Apple’s plans to shift more iPhone production from China to India. According to Trump, he had an “understanding” with Cook that Apple wouldn’t do so. “He said he’s going to India to build plants. I said, ‘that’s OK to go to India, but you’re not going to sell into here without tariffs.’”
Trump also made it clear that this policy wouldn’t just affect Apple. “It would be also Samsung and anybody that makes that product. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair,” he said, suggesting a broader tariff regime on foreign-made smartphones if US-based production is not prioritized.
This marks a notable shift in Trump’s trade policy rhetoric. While he previously insisted that other countries would bear the cost of tariffs, he now admits that companies themselves — like Apple — would pay, which could ultimately mean higher prices for American consumers. Industry experts have estimated that making iPhones in the US could raise the price of a $1,200 iPhone to between $1,500 and $3,500, due to higher production and labor costs.
Trump’s criticism also reflects broader concerns over American tech companies moving manufacturing abroad. While carmakers, pharmaceutical firms, and chip manufacturers have also been targets of his push to bring jobs back to the US, smartphone production presents a unique challenge, as the US currently lacks large-scale smartphone assembly infrastructure.
Apple has dramatically increased its manufacturing footprint in India. According to Reuters, the company produced iPhones worth $22 billion in India in the last fiscal year — a 60% increase from the previous year. India has emerged as one of Apple’s top global production hubs, as it diversifies its supply chain away from China amid geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions.
Earlier this month, Apple CEO Tim Cook had stated that most iPhones sold in the US this quarter would be manufactured in India, while other devices like iPads are being sourced from Vietnam.
Trump, speaking in Qatar last week, reiterated his dissatisfaction with Apple’s India operations. “He is building all over India. I don’t want you building in India,” Trump said. He claimed that Apple would be “upping their production in the United States,” though no such announcement has yet been confirmed by Apple.
As the 2024 presidential election cycle gains momentum, Trump’s stance signals that US-based tech manufacturing and economic nationalism will remain central to his campaign.
