New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has urged Apple to halt its iPhone production in India and instead concentrate on manufacturing its flagship devices in the United States. His comments, made during an event in Doha, Qatar, have sparked concerns in New Delhi, although Apple has reassured Indian officials that its expansion plans in the country remain intact.
During a public discussion regarding a recent conversation with Apple CEO Tim Cook, Trump criticized the company’s increasing presence in India. “I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday,” he stated. “I told him—Tim, you’re my friend. I treated you very well. But now I hear you’re building all over India. I don’t want you building in India if you want to take care of America.” He claimed that Apple would boost its production in the United States, but did not provide further details.
Apple does not currently manufacture smartphones in the U.S. and relies significantly on production in China and increasingly in India, where approximately 40 million iPhones are assembled each year—accounting for about 15 percent of its total global output.
In response to Trump’s comments, senior Indian government officials contacted Apple executives, who affirmed that the company’s investment strategy in India remains unchanged and that the country is a crucial part of its global manufacturing plans. In recent years, Apple has expanded its operations in India, motivated by lower labor costs, favorable government policies, and a growing supplier base. Major manufacturing partners, such as Foxconn and Tata Electronics, are also enlarging their facilities in Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
Notably, India-made iPhones are not limited to domestic consumption; they are being exported in substantial quantities, particularly to the United States. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, Apple exported 3.1 million iPhones from India to the U.S. in March 2025 alone, representing 97.6 percent of its total phone exports for that month. This signifies a 219 percent spike in shipments, likely aimed at circumventing possible new tariffs.
Despite Trump’s remarks, Indian officials maintain a positive outlook. They highlighted Apple’s significant economic impact in India, including nearly 200,000 jobs created across its supply chain and vendor ecosystem. According to Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, iPhones valued at Rs. 1.5 lakh crore were exported from India in the fiscal year ending March 2025. Although Apple has not publicly commented on Trump’s statements, CEO Tim Cook has previously indicated that India would account for the majority of iPhones sold in the U.S. during the second quarter of 2025. While Trump suggested that Apple could keep producing in India for its local market, he expressed opposition to Indian-assembled iPhones being sold in the U.S., advocating instead for a return to American manufacturing.
Original Source: https://nenews.in/neighbours/trump-tells-apple-to-halt-iphone-production-in-india/25394/
Category: Neighbours,Apple,India,iPhone,Production,Tim Cook,US President Donald Trump
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Publish Date: 2025-05-15 20:35:00
