US President Donald Trump, during his recent visit to Doha, publicly urged Apple CEO Tim Cook to halt the expansion of iPhone manufacturing in India and instead boost production in the United States. Trump’s remarks come as Apple rapidly shifts production away from China, with India emerging as a key manufacturing hub.
The President also claimed that India has offered to drop tariffs on US goods as part of ongoing trade talks, introducing fresh uncertainty into Apple’s global supply chain plans and the future of India-US trade relations.
Trump to Apple: ‘Don’t Want You Building in India’
Speaking at a business event in Doha, Trump revealed details of his conversation with Tim Cook, stating, “I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday. He is building all over India. I don’t want you building in India. India can take care of themselves, they are doing very well.”
Trump added that as a result of their discussion, Apple would be “upping their production in the United States,” aligning with his “America First” manufacturing agenda. These remarks come at a time when Apple’s iPhone production in India surged to $22 billion in the year ending March 2025-a nearly 60% increase from the previous year.
Apple’s India Surge and Supply Chain Shifts
Apple’s pivot to India accelerated after Covid-19 lockdowns disrupted operations in China, and US-China trade tensions intensified. Currently, Apple manufactures most of its iPhones in China, with no smartphone production in the US.
The majority of iPhones made in India are assembled at Foxconn Technology Group’s facility in southern India, while Tata Group, having acquired Wistron’s local business and overseeing Pegatron’s Indian operations, is also rapidly expanding capacity.
“A majority of iPhones sold in the US will have India as their country of origin,” Tim Cook said earlier this month, highlighting the company’s evolving global strategy.
Tariff Talks and Trade Uncertainty
Trump criticised India’s high tariff barriers, saying, “It is very hard to sell American products in the planet’s most populous country.” However, he acknowledged that India has proposed a trade deal with “zero tariffs” on US goods, stating, “They’ve offered us a deal where basically they’re willing to literally charge us no tariff…
They’re the highest, and now they’re saying no tariff.” The President’s comments come as Apple seeks to diversify its supply chain and as trade negotiations between the US and India continue, with both sides aiming to resolve tariff and market access issues.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
President Trump’s intervention highlights the delicate balance between national interests, global business, and international cooperation. While Apple’s India expansion has created jobs and fostered innovation, abrupt policy shifts risk undermining these gains and straining bilateral ties.
India’s willingness to discuss tariff reductions signals constructive engagement, but lasting solutions demand empathy, transparency, and mutual benefit. How can India and the US work together to ensure economic growth, innovation, and opportunity are shared by all?
