“25% Tariff If iPhones Are Made in India” – President Donald Trump

“25% Tariff If iPhones Are Made in India” – President Donald Trump

President Donald Trump has once again sharply criticized Apple CEO Tim Cook for planning to manufacture iPhones in India. He stated that if iPhones sold in the U.S. are not produced domestically, Apple will have to pay a 25% tariff.

On Friday (May 23), Trump posted on his ‘Truth Social’ platform:

“I told Tim Cook a long time ago that any iPhones sold in the United States must be MADE AND MANUFACTURED in the United States — not in India or anywhere else. If not, Apple will face a minimum 25% tariff. Thank you for paying attention to this!”

This statement comes shortly after Trump expressed his displeasure last week regarding Apple’s plans to expand its manufacturing base in India.

During a speech on May 15 during his Gulf tour, Trump said:

“He (Tim Cook) is building factories all over India. I don’t want you making it in India. India can take care of itself.”
He added,
“I don’t want you making anything in India. They’ll manage just fine on their own.”

Apple’s Manufacturing in India
Currently, most iPhones are assembled in southern India at factories run by Foxconn Technology Group. In addition, Tata Group is also setting up iPhone assembly plants in India.

According to 2023 media reports, Tata’s factory in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, is expected to have about 20 assembly lines and create nearly 50,000 jobs within the first two years.

In the 12 months ending March 2024, Apple assembled nearly $22 billion worth of iPhones in India — about a 60% increase from the previous year.

As part of its strategy to diversify away from China, Apple has increased iPhone production in India in recent years, working with suppliers like Foxconn and Pegatron.

Tim Cook had previously stated that during the current quarter, a majority of iPhones sold in the U.S. would be made in India — a strategic move amid the ongoing U.S.-China trade war.