Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on iPhones Made Outside US: ‘Not India or Anyplace Else’
US President Donald Trump on Friday issued a stern warning to Apple, stating that iPhones sold in the United States must be manufactured domestically or face a 25% tariff if made in India or “anyplace else.” The remarks were made on Truth Social, escalating his protectionist stance on US manufacturing.
Trump’s remarks came via a Truth Social post on Friday, where he explicitly warned Apple CEO Tim Cook that iPhones sold in the US must be made in America. This marks the second time in a week the President has publicly called out Apple’s India manufacturing plans.
“I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that 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% must be paid by Apple to the US.”
Currently, over 80% of iPhones sold in the US are manufactured in China. Apple has recently been shifting some of its production to India, with plans to produce the majority of US-sold iPhones there by 2026, to mitigate growing tensions and tariff risks linked to China.
Last week in Doha, Trump told business leaders that he had personally advised Tim Cook against expanding production in India for US-bound phones. “Told Apple CEO Tim Cook we’re not interested in you building in India, they can take care of themselves,” Trump said.
Trump’s statement comes at a delicate time, as India and the US are working toward finalizing a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) before July. Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on Thursday to deepen economic ties.
Trump previously claimed India offered to eliminate tariffs on US imports, signaling an improving trade climate between the two nations despite these recent tensions.
Trump’s comments could strain Apple’s global supply chain plans and impact India’s goal to become a global manufacturing hub. The threat of tariffs might push Apple to reconsider its long-term strategy amid increasing political unpredictability.
