Washington, D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump revealed Thursday that he confronted Apple CEO Tim Cook over the tech giant’s expanding manufacturing operations in India, insisting production should instead move back to American soil.
“I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday,” Trump said. “I told him, ‘You’re my friend—I treated you very well. You’re bringing $500 billion to the U.S., but now I hear you’re building all over India.’ I don’t want you building in India.”
The remarks come as Apple accelerates its efforts to diversify production beyond China, with plans to manufacture 25% of global iPhones in India within the next few years. Currently, about 90% of iPhones are assembled in China.
Trump Pushes for U.S. Manufacturing, Slams India’s Tariffs
Trump referenced Apple’s $500 billion U.S. investment pledge made earlier this year, urging Cook to prioritize domestic production.
“We put up with your plants in China for years—now it’s time to build here,” Trump said. “India can take care of itself. We want Apple making products in America.”
He also criticized India’s trade policies, calling it “one of the highest tariff nations in the world”—though he noted New Delhi had recently offered a zero-tariff deal to the U.S. The Trump administration previously imposed a 26% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods, temporarily paused until July.
Apple’s India Expansion Faces Political Pushback
Despite Trump’s objections, Apple continues deepening its ties with India:
- Foxconn, Apple’s key supplier, just secured approval to build a semiconductor plant in India.
- The company has slowly shifted production to India and Vietnam to reduce reliance on China.
However, analysts say full-scale iPhone production in the U.S. remains unlikely due to skyrocketing costs—estimates suggest American-made iPhones could cost $1,500 – $3,500 (See full analysis of how much it will cost if iPhone is made in America). Currently, Apple only manufactures the Mac Pro and select server components domestically.
Apple has not publicly responded to Trump’s comments. The clash underscores ongoing tensions between global supply chain strategies and U.S. protectionist trade policies.
