President Donald Trump has reportedly suggested to Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, to reconsider his plans to shift iPhone production to India and instead, stick with a domestic location.
Speaking in Qatar, Trump indicated to the press that he prompted Cook to seek an alternative location for the manufacture of Apple’s complex devices. “I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday. I said to him, ‘You’re my friend, I’ve treated you very good. You’re coming here with $500 billion, but now I hear you’re building all over India. I don’t want you building in India,” Trump reportedly stated.
Earlier in the year, reports emerged that Apple intended to produce most of the iPhones sold in the U.S. in Indian factories by the end of 2026. This was seen as a strategy to bypass tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on goods from China, where 90% of iPhones are currently manufactured. Although smartphones and personal computers are presently exempt from Trump’s sweeping tariffs, the president has suggested such exemptions are temporary.
This development follows earlier reports that Apple had shipped 600 tons of iPhones, equating to approximately 1.5 million devices, from India to the U.S. to bolster inventory in anticipation of potential trade war complications. In May, Cook announced plans to shift more of Apple’s semiconductor chip manufacturing from China to Taiwan, while also constructing several plants in Arizona to boost domestic production. Just this week, Apple mentioned considering price increases for its upcoming fall lineup of iPhones, attributing potential cost increases to factors other than tariffs.
Turning now to the broader implications, it’s worth noting that Cook’s relationship with Trump has remained positive since Trump’s first administration. Cook, who personally donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural committee and dined with the president at Mar-a-Lago to discuss his agenda, was among the first tech leaders to meet with Trump following his 2024 election victory. This unique approach by Cook contrasts with other tech executives’ stance during Trump’s first term, as he sought to maintain close ties with the White House to aid Apple in its international legal disputes.
As the global tech industry navigates the complex waters of international trade and diplomacy, the decisions of influential companies like Apple can have far-reaching impacts. This raises important questions about the future of production, tariffs, and international relations, which remain to be answered.
