Trump Urges Apple to Manufacture in the US Instead of India

In a statement that may disappoint India’s manufacturing aspirations, former US President Donald Trump expressed his lack of interest in Apple expanding its production in India. He encouraged the iPhone manufacturer to increase its manufacturing activities within the United States.

“I encountered a minor issue with Tim Cook yesterday,” Trump stated during his visit to Doha. “I conveyed to him that I am treating him exceptionally well. While you are committing $500 billion, I am now hearing that you are establishing manufacturing facilities across India,” Trump mentioned.

The former US President continued, “I do not want you to build in India. You have the option to build in India if you intend to cater to India, given that India imposes some of the highest tariffs globally, making it challenging to sell products there.”

Trump highlighted that the United States has been supportive of Apple despite the company’s significant reliance on China.

“I told Tim that we are treating you exceptionally well, having tolerated all the plants you have established in China over the years. We have no interest in you building in India. India is capable of managing itself.”

Trump added that Apple would be “increasing its production” in the US.

According to reports, China is responsible for over 75% of global iPhone production, while India accounts for approximately 18%.

The tech giant, based in Cupertino, is reportedly taking swift action to relocate the production of the majority of its US-sold iPhones to factories in India by the close of 2026.

Earlier in the month, Apple’s CEO expressed his expectation that “the majority of iPhones sold in the US will originate from India.”

The iPhone maker has recently boosted production in India to overcome US tariffs, shipping about 600 tons of iPhones, valued at $2 billion, to the US in March. This marked a record month for both Tata and Foxconn, with Foxconn alone accounting for smartphones valued at $1.3 billion.