US President Donald Trump has stated that he told Apple CEO Tim Cook not to build products in India, citing the company’s existing investment of $500 billion in the US as a key factor. The move comes as Apple is ramping up production in India in an effort to reduce reliance on China.
In a conversation with Cook, Trump reportedly expressed concerns about the company’s expansion into Indian markets, stating that he “treated you very good” when it came to investments in the US. However, he claimed that now Apple was “building all over India,” which led him to urge the CEO to shift production focus to the US.
Trump’s comments on trade relations with India were made while discussing the country’s tariffs and the White House’s trade protectionist policies. The US president has imposed a 26% tariff on Indian goods, but lowered it temporarily until July.
Apple’s plans to build more products in India face significant challenges due to the high production costs of an iPhone. Estimated to be between $1,500 and $3,500, making a product in the US is unlikely. Currently, Apple produces only a few items in the country, including servers for its artificial intelligence system.
As Apple continues to diversify its supply chain, the company’s plans to build more products in India may face stiff competition from Trump’s calls for increased production in the US.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/15/trump-told-tim-cook-he-doesnt-want-apple-building-iphones-in-india.html