U.S. President Donald Trump has directly voiced his disapproval of Apple’s increasing manufacturing presence in India. In a recent interaction with CEO Tim Cook, Trump insisted that the tech giant should focus on expanding production within the United States rather than diverting operations overseas.
The comments came as Apple continues to scale up its manufacturing operations in India, driven by the company’s ongoing efforts to diversify its production away from China due to trade tensions and tariffs. Trump, however, expressed frustration, stating that he does not want Apple building its products in India and believes the company owes more commitment to domestic production.
Trump emphasized his previous support for Apple, reminding Cook that he had backed the company during its growth and operations in China. Now, with Apple’s focus shifting to India, Trump said, “I don’t want you building in India. We’re not interested in that. We want you to build here.”
Apple has invested heavily in India in recent years, aiming to produce up to 25% of global iPhones there. The iPhone maker is partnering with suppliers like Foxconn and Tata Electronics, both of which are expanding operations to meet growing export demands to the U.S.
According to CNBC, Trump told Cook during their discussion: “You’re coming here with $500 billion, but now I hear you’re building all over India.” He further stated, “India can take care of themselves. We want you to build here.” The report also noted that Apple currently produces a limited number of devices in the U.S., including the Mac Pro and some server equipment in Texas.
Apple’s current strategy to rely on India as a major export hub could face complications due to Trump’s stance.
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As highlighted by Times of India, Apple’s iPhone production in India hit $22 billion by March — a 60% increase year-on-year. The report added that Trump’s remarks introduce uncertainty in Apple’s goal to source the majority of U.S.-bound iPhones from India by late 2024.
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Apple’s expansion in India stems from the increasing operational challenges in China, including Covid-era shutdowns and rising geopolitical tensions. Major suppliers like Foxconn and Tata Group are driving this shift, with large-scale manufacturing and assembly units now active across southern India.
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