Trump cautions Apple CEO Tim Cook about expanding iPhone assembly in India

: Donald Trump has expressed his concern about Apple's decision to move iPhone assembly to India, urging CEO Tim Cook to reconsider the company's global production strategy and focus more on U.S. manufacturing. This move by Apple aims to shift production from China to India, primarily due to tariff issues introduced by Trump. The company plans to manufacture 25% of global iPhones in India over the coming years, which has led to significant production efforts at Foxconn's and Pegatron’s facilities. However, with 145% tariffs on Chinese goods temporarily paused, Apple faces complex decisions regarding its supply chain management and potential implications for pricing and production locations.

During a recent business summit in Doha, President Donald Trump publicly expressed his disapproval of Apple's plans to expand iPhone production in India. Addressing Apple CEO Tim Cook, Trump stated, "I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday. I said to him, 'Tim, you're my friend. I've treated you very good. You're coming in with $500 billion, but now I hear you're building all over India. I don't want you building in India.'"

Trump emphasized his preference for Apple to increase domestic manufacturing, referencing the company's commitment to invest $500 billion in the United States over the next four years. He criticized India's high tariff structures, suggesting that Apple should focus on building in the U.S. rather than expanding operations in India.

Apple has been diversifying its manufacturing footprint to mitigate risks associated with U.S.-China trade tensions. The company plans to shift a significant portion of its iPhone production for the U.S. market to India. In March 2025, Indian suppliers shipped nearly $2 billion worth of iPhones to the U.S., marking a record high.

Despite Trump's remarks, Apple has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its manufacturing presence in India. Company executives have assured Indian government officials that their investment plans remain unchanged, with India continuing to be a crucial manufacturing destination.

Analysts note that relocating iPhone assembly to the U.S. would be highly impractical and significantly increase costs—potentially tripling the price of iPhones. The complex manufacturing process involves sourcing over 1,000 components globally, with assembly traditionally centered in China.

Sources: The Guardian, TechCrunch, Fox Business