Trump Slams Apple’s India Expansion: “I Had a Little Problem with Tim Cook”

Currently, Apple manufactures a small number of products in the U.S.

Trump: “I Don’t Want You Building in India”

President Donald Trump has voiced strong opposition to Apple’s increasing investment in India, revealing a pointed conversation he had with CEO Tim Cook.

“I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday,” Trump said Thursday.

“I told him, ‘I treated you very well… but now I hear you’re manufacturing all over India. I don’t want you building in India.’”

Trump’s remarks came amid renewed tensions over global supply chains, as Apple shifts more production away from China.

Apple’s India Strategy in Trump’s Crosshairs

Apple has steadily expanded operations in India, aiming to produce 25% of all iPhones there in the coming years.

While China still handles around 90% of iPhone production, India is becoming a crucial alternative as Apple seeks to diversify.

But Trump was blunt in his critique:

“India can handle itself. We want you to manufacture here.”

Trump Cites Loyalty and Domestic Jobs

The president says that Apple had benefited from his administration’s support, referencing the company’s $500 billion commitment to the U.S. economy made earlier this year.

He used that to justify his frustration with Apple’s foreign investments:

“We’ve tolerated your factories in China for years, now you need to build here.”

While Trump claimed Apple would expand domestic production, he gave no specific figures or timelines.

India’s Role in the Global Tech Race

India is central to Apple’s long-term supply strategy.

Foxconn, Apple’s primary manufacturing partner, recently received approval to build a semiconductor factory in India in partnership with HCL Group.

The move aligns with New Delhi’s push to become a global tech manufacturing hub, something Trump’s protectionist stance may directly challenge.

U.S.–India Trade Relations Under Strain

Trump’s comments also reflect broader trade tensions with India.

He described the country as “one of the most protectionist economies in the world,” even as he acknowledged that India had offered to eliminate tariffs on some U.S. goods.

The Trump administration has imposed a temporary 26% reciprocal tariff on Indian imports, set to expire in July, adding further friction to the tech and trade dynamic.

The Cost of “Made in USA” iPhones? Up to $3,500

While Trump calls for more domestic manufacturing, analysts point out a major challenge: cost.

If Apple moved iPhone production to the U.S., prices could soar to between $1,500 and $3,500 per device, a sharp contrast to its global pricing model.

Currently, Apple manufactures a small number of products in the U.S., including the Mac Pro and some AI servers in Texas.