Trump Urges Apple to Halt iPhone Production Expansion in India
If you're wondering why Donald Trump wants Apple to stop making iPhones in India, you're not alone. Many are searching for answers about Apple's global manufacturing strategy and how U.S. policy might affect it. The latest development? Former President Donald Trump has directly asked Apple CEO Tim Cook to scale back iPhone production in India and focus more on U.S.-based manufacturing. This comes at a time when Apple is shifting its supply chain strategy and ramping up operations in countries like India to reduce dependency on China. Trump’s remarks not only spotlight the high tariffs India imposes on imports but also reignite debate around American jobs, offshore manufacturing, and U.S. tech policy.
During a recent business summit in Doha, Trump shared that he had a private conversation with Tim Cook, urging the Apple chief to reconsider the company’s decision to expand manufacturing in India. "You're coming up with $500 billion, but now I hear you're building all over India,” Trump stated, referencing Apple's investment plans. He emphasized his preference for Apple to increase domestic production, aligning with his broader economic message to bring high-tech jobs back to the United States—a message that appeals to American workers and manufacturing policy advocates alike.
Despite these comments, Apple has remained silent, offering no immediate public response. However, the tech giant’s manufacturing blueprint reveals a different story. Earlier this year, Apple announced a bold $500 billion commitment to expand its U.S. operations over the next four years. This includes building new facilities, opening manufacturing academies, and hiring more than 20,000 employees across various American cities. These initiatives signal Apple's continued investment in domestic production while simultaneously diversifying its international manufacturing base.
Still, Apple’s expansion in India remains a major strategic move. Just days before Trump’s comments, India approved a $435 million Foxconn project to produce Apple chips locally. Apple already manufactures approximately 20% of its iPhones in India, according to a Bloomberg report from April. The Financial Times also reported that Apple aims to import the majority of iPhones sold in the U.S. from India by 2026. These moves not only mitigate supply chain risks but also tap into high-growth emerging markets.
Trump’s renewed focus on reshoring iPhone production is a reminder of the political and economic tension surrounding tech manufacturing. His stance underscores broader concerns around trade imbalances, national security, and job creation—topics that resonate heavily in the lead-up to major elections and influence tech industry policies. High-value keywords like U.S. manufacturing jobs, global supply chain strategy, and tariff impact on tech all frame this debate as one with serious economic consequences.
As Apple walks a tightrope between global efficiency and domestic expectations, both tech enthusiasts and policy watchers will be keeping a close eye on how this tension unfolds. Whether or not Apple shifts more production back to the U.S., the political pressure is clearly mounting—and it’s bound to shape future decisions in the trillion-dollar smartphone market.
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