Trump’s Message To Apple CEO: Don’t Grow Manufacturing In India — Details Here

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New Delhi: During a recent visit to Qatar, former U.S. President Donald Trump shared that he had raised concerns with Apple CEO Tim Cook about the company’s increasing iPhone production in India. Trump said he urged Cook to focus more on manufacturing in the United States instead.

Trump Questions Apple’s Expansion in India

During a business event in Doha, Qatar, Donald Trump shared that he recently confronted Apple CEO Tim Cook over the company’s growing presence in India. “I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday. I said to him, my friend, I am treating you very good… but now I hear you are building all over India. I don't want you building in India," Trump said.

The US President’s comments have raised questions about Apple’s plans to make most of its US-bound iPhones in India by late 2024. The tech giant has been looking to reduce its dependence on China amid rising tariffs and diplomatic tensions.

At present, Apple makes most of its iPhones in China and has no production units in the US. In India, a large chunk of iPhone production happens at Foxconn’s factory in the south. Tata Group is also playing a big role—it took over Wistron’s local operations and now runs Pegatron’s Indian facilities. Both Tata and Foxconn are steadily expanding, adding new plants and boosting production in southern India.

India was one of the first countries to start trade talks with the U.S. after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the White House in February. Both sides are hoping to wrap up the first phase of a trade deal by this autumn. As part of the process, India’s commerce minister will visit the U.S. from May 17 to 20 for further discussions with officials from the Trump administration.