In a candid conversation, U.S. President Donald Trump advised Apple CEO Tim Cook against expanding the company’s manufacturing footprint in India. Trump made the remarks during a business event held in Doha, Qatar, on May 15, as reported by Bloomberg.
Speaking at the gathering of business leaders, Trump revealed that he had directly spoken to Cook, urging him not to increase Apple’s manufacturing presence in India unless it was specifically aimed at serving the Indian market. Trump stated, “I told Apple CEO Tim Cook we’re not interested in you building in India, they can take care of themselves.”
The President emphasised his preference for bolstering domestic production, noting that Apple had committed to increasing its manufacturing operations within the United States. “Apple will be upping their production in the United States,” Trump asserted, underlining his long-standing agenda of bringing jobs back to American soil.
During his address, Trump also mentioned a potential deal with India, wherein the country expressed a willingness to eliminate tariffs on U.S. imports. “India has offered us a deal where basically they are willing to literally charge us no tariff,” Trump said, indicating a significant step forward in bilateral trade negotiations.
Amid Trump’s remarks, it is pertinent to note that Apple has been actively working to shift some of its manufacturing from China to India.
According to recent reports, the tech giant aims to manufacture most of the iPhones sold in the U.S. at its Indian facilities by the end of 2026. This strategic move is seen as part of Apple’s effort to mitigate the impact of potential tariff hikes from China, where approximately 80 per cent of iPhones sold in the U.S. are currently produced.
Apple sells over 60 million iPhones annually in the U.S., and the shift to India is expected to significantly reduce dependency on its primary manufacturing base in China. Industry analysts suggest that diversifying production could also help Apple navigate geopolitical uncertainties and maintain a steady supply chain.
Trump’s comments have sparked a debate about the balance between promoting U.S. manufacturing and leveraging global production networks. While India offers Apple favourable terms, including the possibility of tariff-free imports, Trump’s preference remains clear, strengthening the American economy by keeping manufacturing jobs within the country.
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