Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Apple Inc., threatening the tech giant with a 25 percent tariff if it continues to produce iPhones for the U.S. market outside the country.
In a post shared Friday on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that he had “long ago informed Tim Cook”, Apple’s CEO, that he expected all iPhones sold in the U.S. to be manufactured domestically, not in India or “anyplace else.”
“If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S.,” Trump said.
The former president’s renewed pressure on Apple reflects his longstanding protectionist stance on trade and manufacturing. His administration imposed sweeping tariffs on imports during his term, causing significant disruptions in global supply chains and markets.
Trump’s latest remarks follow similar comments made during a recent trip to Qatar, where he again pressed Apple to relocate iPhone production to the U.S.
“We’re not interested in you building in India… we want you to build here,” Trump reportedly told Cook, adding that Apple would “up their production in the United States.”
The issue comes at a time when Apple is shifting parts of its manufacturing operations to India, aiming to diversify away from China amid rising U.S.-China trade tensions. Apple CEO Tim Cook recently said he expects “a majority of iPhones sold in the U.S. will have India as their country of origin.”
Though high-end electronics like smartphones are currently exempt from certain U.S. tariffs, Apple still faces substantial costs. Cook revealed that U.S. tariffs would cost Apple $900 million this quarter alone, although their earlier impact this year was described as “limited.”
As the debate around onshoring production heats up, Trump’s ultimatum signals a potential shift in policy should he return to the White House, one that could reshape the future of tech manufacturing and U.S. trade relations.
