President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Apple, urging the tech giant to shift iPhone production to the United States or face a 25% tariff on imported devices. While India has offered tariff-free incentives, Trump insists that domestic manufacturing must be Apple’s top priority.
Speaking from the Oval Office during a signing ceremony for nuclear energy executive orders, Trump referenced a recent conversation with Apple CEO Tim Cook.
“I had an understanding with Tim that he wouldn’t be doing this,” Trump said. “He said he’s going to India to build plants. I said, ‘That’s okay, but you’re not going to sell into here without tariffs.’”
He emphasized that if Apple wants to sell iPhones in the U.S., they should be made on American soil.
“We’re talking about the iPhone. If they’re going to sell it in America, I want it to be built in the United States,” Trump stated.
Although Apple was the initial focus, Trump expanded the warning to other smartphone manufacturers including Samsung and Huawei, declaring that the tariffs would apply across the board to ensure fairness.
The proposed tariffs are expected to go into effect by the end of June 2025.
Later the same day, Trump reiterated his stance on social media:
“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 per cent must be paid by Apple to the US. American jobs come first!”
