Trump asks Apple to shift out of India
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- Web Desk
- 4 Hours ago
WEB DESK: US President Donald Trump has reportedly urged Apple CEO Tim Cook to stop manufacturing in India, even though India has offered a “no-tariff deal” to attract American businesses.
The development comes amid ongoing friction between India and the US, following Trump’s earlier claims that he helped broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan—a statement that triggered strong reactions in New Delhi.
Speaking during a state visit to Qatar, Trump said, “I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday. He is building all over India. I don’t want you building in India. India can take care of itself.”
He also referred to a previous conversation with Cook following US-China tariff talks in Geneva, where Trump had lauded Apple’s plans to boost its manufacturing footprint within the US.
“Tim’s going to even up his numbers—$500 billion. He’s building a lot of plants here,” Trump said from the White House.
Trump went on to criticise India’s high tariff regime, calling it one of the toughest in the world. He claimed it remains difficult to sell American products in India, even though the Indian government has offered a tariff-free deal to the US as part of a broader trade arrangement.
What it means for India
Trump’s remarks could complicate India’s goal of becoming a global manufacturing hub for tech products. Apple has been steadily increasing its investment in India, assembling a record $22 billion worth of iPhones in the 12 months ending March—up nearly 60% from the previous year.
Most of these iPhones are produced at Foxconn’s plant in southern India. Tata Electronics, which acquired Wistron’s local business and now runs Pegatron’s operations, is also playing a key role in Apple’s supply chain. Both Tata and Foxconn are currently building new factories to expand production in the region, according to Bloomberg.
Trump’s position, if it gains traction in US policymaking circles, may pose a challenge for India’s aspirations to become a key player in global electronics manufacturing.
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