Trump says Apple should make more iPhones in the US, not India
US President Donald Trump, while on a state visit to Qatar, revealed a recent conversation with Apple CEO Tim Cook in which he voiced concern over the company’s increasing iPhone production in India. Trump said, "I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday... I don't want you building in India." He added that Apple may continue manufacturing iPhones for the Indian market in India, but US-bound devices should be made domestically.
Trump reiterated his preference for Apple to honor its earlier commitment of investing $500 billion in US operations. He also claimed that Cook promised him an increase in production within the United States, though no specific timeline or details were shared.
Donald Trump voiced concerns regarding Apple’s U.S. manufacturing (beyond iPhones) in the past. Notably, he highlighted the Mac Pro, which Apple assembled in Austin, Texas. In November 2019, Trump toured the facility with CEO Tim Cook, praising the company's domestic production efforts. However, this was a continuation of existing operations rather than a completely new initiative.
Analysts point out that moving iPhone production entirely to the US would be difficult, given Apple's deep-rooted supply chains across Asia. Relocating manufacturing could significantly raise production costs due to higher labor rates and a less mature electronics manufacturing ecosystem. Experts estimate this could push iPhone prices up by 25% or more.
Following Trump’s remarks, Apple’s stock saw a slight dip, closing at $211.46 in the most recent trading session.
Trump has previously praised Cook’s leadership, noting in 2024, "If Tim Cook didn’t run Apple, and Steve Jobs did, it wouldn’t be nearly as successful." He also recalled Cook directly contacting him in 2019 over tariff issues, contrasting his approach with that of traditional lobbyists.
As global trade tensions continue, Apple’s manufacturing strategies remain under close watch by investors and policymakers alike.
