During a business event in Doha, President Trump revealed that he had a direct conversation with Tim Cook, expressing his disapproval of Apple’s growing manufacturing presence in India. “He is building all over India. I don’t want you building in India. You can build in India if you want to take care of India, because India is one of the highest tariff nations in the world,” Trump stated, emphasizing his preference for Apple to increase production within the US instead.
Trump’s remarks come as Apple’s iPhone production in India soared to $22 billion in the year ending March 2025-a 60% increase from the previous year. Currently, one in five iPhones globally is made in India, with Apple aiming to make India the main hub for US-bound iPhones by late 2024.
Apple’s move to expand in India was largely driven by escalating US-China trade tensions, tariffs, and supply chain disruptions during the pandemic. The Trump administration’s tariffs on Chinese goods, along with ongoing diplomatic friction, prompted Apple and other tech giants to diversify their manufacturing bases. India, with its large workforce and government incentives, emerged as a prime alternative.
However, Trump has criticized India for having some of the highest tariff barriers globally, arguing that it is “very hard to sell American products” in the country. He claimed that India recently offered to remove tariffs on US goods, although no official announcement has been made by New Delhi.
Trump’s intervention directly challenges Apple’s plan to shift a significant portion of its iPhone production to India, especially for the US market. The president’s comments have created uncertainty for Apple’s India-centric supply chain strategy, which was designed to reduce dependence on China and mitigate tariff risks.
Despite Trump’s push, Apple has invested heavily in India, with three operational plants and two more in the pipeline. Indian manufacturing partners like Foxconn and Tata Electronics have also ramped up production, aiming to double output in the coming years.
Trump’s remarks also come amid ongoing trade negotiations between the US and India. Just days before his statement, India threatened retaliatory tariffs on US goods in response to increased US duties on Indian steel and aluminum exports. Both countries are reportedly working towards resolving these disputes, with high-level trade talks scheduled in the coming weeks.