Earlier this month, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook announced plans to increase the import of iPhones produced in India to cater to the rising demand in the U.S. However, these developments have drawn a critical response from former President Donald Trump.
At a recent business summit in Doha, Trump revealed that he had met with Cook and urged him to halt production in India, advocating instead for a boost in manufacturing within the United States. He emphasised his support for Apple but expressed disappointment about the company’s manufacturing strategy, stating, “You’re my friend, I’ve treated you very good. You’re coming up with $500 billion, but now I hear you are building all over India.” Trump highlighted that the high tariffs imposed by India might justify such a decision, although he did not provide any specific timelines for Apple’s potential increase in U.S. production.
Apple has not yet responded to requests for comments on this matter. Earlier in the year, the tech giant had mentioned a significant investment of $500 billion over the next four years to expand its U.S. manufacturing capabilities. This initiative includes establishing new facilities, hiring over 20,000 employees, and launching a manufacturing academy in the country.
Trump’s remarks coincided with the recent approval of a $435 million project by Foxconn, aimed at producing Apple chips in India. Apple has been actively working on diversifying its manufacturing operations and reducing its dependence on China, a move that reflects its ambitions for growth in India.
According to a Bloomberg report from April, Apple was reportedly producing about 20% of its iPhones in India and had intentions to source all iPhones sold in the U.S. from India by 2026, as per prior announcements from the Financial Times. As Apple continues to navigate its global manufacturing strategy amidst changing political and economic landscapes, the balance between production locations remains a topic of significant interest.
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