President Donald Trump is apparently threatening Apple over its decision to produce its iPhones in India. Trump, who has been working towards bringing manufacturing back to the United States is willing to weaponize his tariffs against the tech giant if need be.
Trump announced that Apple can build factories in India but will face a 25% tariff on products sold in the U.S. if manufactured overseas.
Speaking in the White House Oval Office during the signing of executive orders on nuclear energy, Trump referenced a discussion with Apple CEO Tim Cook, stating, “I had an understanding with Tim that he wouldn’t be doing this. He said he’s going to India to build plants. I said, ‘That’s okay, but you’re not going to sell into here without tariffs.’” President Trump stressed, “We’re talking about the iPhone. If they’re going to sell it in America, I want it to be built in the United States.”
READ: Apple turns to India amid tariff pressure on US iPhone manufacturing (April 9, 2025)
He seemed to expand his threat to not just Apple but other smartphone manufacturers as well by saying that the tariffs would apply to anybody that makes that product, otherwise it wouldn’t be fair.
If Trump applies a 25% tariff on iPhones manufactured in India, it means that the U.S. government would charge an extra tax of 25% on these imported devices. This would make iPhones made in India more expensive for American consumers and businesses. The tariff aims to protect U.S. manufacturers by discouraging imports, but it could also lead to higher prices and reduced sales for Apple. Additionally, it might prompt Apple to reconsider its manufacturing strategy, potentially slowing down the shift of production to India. Such tariffs often cause trade tensions between countries and affect global supply chains.
“I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else. If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25 per cent must be paid by Apple to the US. American jobs come first!,” Trump said.