U.S. President Donald Trump has once again turned his focus on Apple, issuing a clear warning: produce iPhones in the United States or pay a 25% tariff on every device sold in America. This bold statement came during a press briefing in the Oval Office, where he signed several executive orders aimed at boosting domestic industries—including nuclear power.
Trump stated that while it’s acceptable for Apple to build manufacturing plants in India, the company will not be allowed to sell its products in the U.S. without facing a steep import tax. “Tim [Cook] told me they’re building in India. I said that’s okay, but you’re not going to sell those phones in the U.S. without tariffs,” the President remarked.
He followed up with a strong message on social media, saying, “I have long ago informed Tim Cook that iPhones sold in the United States must be built in the United States—not India, or anyplace else. If not, Apple must pay a tariff of at least 25%.”
This aggressive push for onshore manufacturing directly targets Apple’s growing operations in India, where the company has been shifting a large portion of its production. Apple CEO Tim Cook recently confirmed that for the upcoming June quarter, most iPhones sold in the U.S. would be manufactured in India, with other Apple products like iPads, Macs, and AirPods being made in Vietnam.
Trump had raised similar concerns just a week ago in Doha, where he told top business leaders that he was unhappy with Apple’s expanding footprint in India. Calling India one of the highest tariff nations in the world, Trump hinted that favorable trade terms from India would not be enough if Apple does not bring manufacturing jobs to the U.S.
For India, these remarks signal rising global tensions that could impact its ambition to become a global electronics manufacturing hub. India has attracted Apple with production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes, skilled labor, and a relatively stable investment climate. Research firms like Counterpoint Research estimate that 25% to 30% of all iPhones worldwide could be made in India by the end of 2025, up from 18% in 2024.
Experts believe Trump’s statement is part of a familiar pattern aimed at reshoring jobs to the U.S., but the economic realities are more complex. Manufacturing in the United States is significantly more expensive than assembling iPhones in India. Building out a supply chain at home would take years and cost billions, something even Apple might hesitate to undertake at full scale.
Indian officials and industry leaders are watching closely. Apple’s investments have already generated thousands of jobs and strengthened India’s reputation in high-end electronics. While Trump’s threat might introduce uncertainty into export dynamics, it also reflects how crucial India has become in global supply chains.
As geopolitical tensions rise, India finds itself at the center of a power struggle between economic nationalism and global efficiency. For now, the iPhone might be made in India—but the debate over where it should be made is far from over.
