In a bold move reflecting rising tensions over global trade and manufacturing, former US President Donald Trump openly criticized Apple CEO Tim Cook for expanding iPhone production to India—calling it a betrayal of American workers and a slap in the face to the US economy.
“I had a problem with Tim Cook yesterday,” Trump declared, voicing fierce displeasure at Apple’s plan to shift a significant portion of its manufacturing out of China and into India. “I said to him, ‘My friend, we treated you very well. You’re bringing $500 billion here, but now I hear you’re building all over India. I don’t want you building in India.’”
Trump’s remarks underscore the ongoing battle over where global tech giants choose to manufacture, as Apple aims to diversify away from China by ramping up production in India — targeting 25% of iPhone output in the next few years. Currently, nearly 90% of Apple’s flagship devices are assembled in China, a fact that has drawn scrutiny amid rising US-China trade tensions.
The outspoken former president insisted Apple should prioritize American manufacturing: “We put up with all the plants you built in China for years, now it’s time to build here in the United States. India can take care of themselves.”
Trump also highlighted the wider trade dispute with India, labeling it “one of the highest tariff nations in the world” and referencing recent reciprocal tariffs imposed by his administration, which were temporarily eased but remain a point of contention.
Industry experts, however, caution that moving iPhone production fully back to the US would significantly raise costs—potentially pushing the price of an iPhone to $1,500 to $3,500—making it a difficult prospect for Apple.
Still, Trump’s challenge sends a strong message about protecting domestic jobs and pushing back against global outsourcing, echoing patriotic calls for economic self-reliance and manufacturing revival in the United States.
As Apple continues expanding its global supply chain into India and Vietnam, the debate over protecting local industry versus globalization heats up—while American workers watch closely, hoping for renewed opportunities and respect on home soil.
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