U.S. President Donald Trump is once again making headlines—this time by urging Apple CEO Tim Cook to rethink Apple’s growing iPhone manufacturing operations in India. While speaking in Qatar, Trump reportedly told Cook that Apple should stop moving production away from the United States, even though India is offering lower tariffs on American goods.
Apple has been shifting its manufacturing away from China to reduce risks from trade tensions and supply chain problems. India has become a key location for this move, with major Apple partners like Foxconn and Wistron building more iPhones there.
Trump’s comments reflect his “America First” approach from his previous presidency. He wants big companies like Apple to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. However, building iPhones in the U.S. would be challenging and expensive. The U.S. lacks the trained labor force, factory systems, and supply chain strength that China currently offers. India is improving, but still has issues with logistics, worker training, and local parts.
Apple plans to move all U.S.-bound iPhone production from China to India by 2026. This would help the company avoid problems if U.S.-China relations worsen. It would also help Apple benefit from India’s growing industrial power and lower labor costs.
But moving production is not simple. Manufacturing iPhones requires high levels of precision, something China still does best. India is working on matching that level, but it will take time.
Trump’s influence still matters in U.S. politics. If he runs for office again and wins, companies like Apple could face more pressure to build their products in the U.S. This could come from new government rules or public pressure.
Apple has made some efforts to build more in the U.S. For example, it produces some Mac Pro computers in Texas and is working with U.S. chipmakers in Arizona.
Whether Trump’s comment was just a passing opinion or the start of a stronger campaign is still unclear. But one thing is certain: companies like Apple will now have to think not just about money and efficiency—but also about politics—when deciding where to make their products.
Also Read: Why Trump Wants to Stop iPhones from Being Made in India — and What That Really Means
For now, Apple is sticking with its India plan. It has opened stores in Delhi and Mumbai and is helping train local workers. India is not just a place to build iPhones—it’s also a huge and growing market for Apple’s products.
As political pressure grows, tech companies may find that where they build their products is no longer just a business decision, but also a political one
