Trump Slams Apple for Manufacturing in India: “I Don’t Want You Building There”

Apple’s Expansion to India Draws Trump’s Criticism

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Apple’s growing manufacturing presence in India, expressing frustration over the tech giant’s decision to diversify production outside of China — and away from the United States.

“I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday,” Trump said. “I told him, ‘my friend, I treated you very well. You’re coming here with $500 billion, but now I hear you’re building all over India. I don’t want you building in India.’”

Apple’s $500 Billion U.S. Investment

Trump referred to Apple’s February announcement of a $500 billion investment in the United States, which was widely seen as a major move to support domestic innovation and job creation. However, Trump argued that Apple’s continued push to manufacture products in countries like India weakens that promise.

“We put up with your plants in China for years,” Trump reportedly told Cook. “Now it’s time to build for us. We don’t want you building in India. India can take care of themselves — we want you to build here.”

Why Apple is Building in India

Apple has significantly expanded its manufacturing footprint in India as part of a long-term strategy to reduce dependency on China. Currently, around 90% of iPhones are assembled in China, but Apple aims to produce 25% of global iPhones in India in the coming years.

Foxconn, Apple’s main manufacturing partner, recently received approval to build a semiconductor facility in India through a joint venture with HCL Group — signaling further deepening of Apple’s India operations.

Is U.S.-Based iPhone Production Possible?

Trump urged Apple to ramp up domestic production, but experts suggest that moving iPhone manufacturing to the U.S. is economically impractical. Estimates show that a U.S.-made iPhone could cost between $1,500 and $3,500 — significantly higher than current retail prices.

As of now, Apple manufactures only a limited number of products in the U.S., including the Mac Pro. The company also announced in February that it will build a new facility in Texas to produce servers for Apple Intelligence, its AI system.

U.S.-India Trade Tensions

Trump’s remarks came while discussing broader U.S.-India trade relations. He referred to India as “one of the highest tariff nations in the world,” although he claimed the country has offered to eliminate tariffs on certain U.S. goods. Under Trump’s protectionist trade stance, a reciprocal tariff of 26% on Indian imports has been temporarily reduced until July.

Conclusion

Apple’s production shift toward India reflects a global strategy to reduce risk and diversify its supply chain. However, Trump’s vocal opposition highlights rising political pressure for U.S. tech giants to prioritize domestic manufacturing — especially as the 2024 election season heats up.

Gain a competitive edge with up-to-date market intelligence from InfoFinance – follow us for the latest insights.