US President Donald Trump has thrown down the gauntlet to Apple, warning the tech giant to stop making iPhones in India — or cough up a hefty 25% tariff.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump claimed he told Apple CEO Tim Cook that iPhones sold in America must be made in America. “If not,” he added, “Apple will have to pay a 25% tariff — minimum!”
Trump Targets Apple’s India Move
This fiery statement comes after Trump’s Middle East visit, where he slammed Apple’s plans to shift production to India. The company has been moving assembly out of China, but now India’s becoming a new hub — and Trump isn’t happy. Tim Cook had earlier said most iPhones for the US would soon be India-made, potentially triggering $900 million in tariffs this quarter.
‘Tim, You’re My Friend… But Stop Building in India’
Trump didn’t hold back during his meet-up with Cook in Riyadh, and later blasted him in Qatar. “Tim, you’re my friend… but now I hear you’re building all over India. I don’t like it,” Trump said. A second hush-hush meeting took place at the White House — but details remain under wraps.
US Says: Offshore Chips = National Security Risk
Backing Trump, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent raised alarms about the security risk of overseas chip production. He urged Apple to help secure America’s chip supply — pointing to Apple’s tie-up with TSMC, which just opened a semiconductor plant in Arizona.
Experts Call US iPhone Dream a ‘Fairy Tale’
While Trump talks tough, experts say bringing iPhone production to the US is pure fantasy. Analyst Dan Ives warned it would cost Apple $30 billion and take years — all for a small fraction of the supply chain. The real kicker? American-made iPhones could cost over $3,500.
Apple’s $500B Bet on America
Apple has pledged a massive $500 billion investment in the US — with new AI centers, server plants in Houston, and Apple TV+ content production across 20 states. But full-scale iPhone manufacturing at home still seems out of reach.
Brace Yourselves: iPhones Might Get Pricier
If Trump’s 25% tariff becomes reality, brace for price hikes. Analysts already expect costlier iPhones this fall — and trade tensions could make them even steeper.