Trump Warns Apple Against Expanding Manufacturing in India Amid Trade Talks
- U.S. President Donald Trump revealed he advised Apple CEO Tim Cook not to expand manufacturing in India unless it was solely to serve Indian consumers.
- Trump cited high tariffs in India as a reason for discouraging American firms from increasing production there.
- Apple has been shifting production from China to India, increasing iPhone assembly through suppliers like Foxconn and Pegatron.
During a recent business gathering in Doha, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he had asked Apple CEO Tim Cook not to diversify the firm's manufacturing operations in India unless the action was purely to meet the Indian market. The remark, made on May 15, is a continuation of Trump's strategy of giving preference to domestic manufacturing and minimizing U.S. business dependence on foreign manufacturing bases.
I said to him, "My friend, I'm treating you very well. You're investing $500 billion, but now I hear that you're building everywhere in India. I don't want that", Trump stated, quoting his exchange with Cook. "You can build there if it's for India because it's one of the highest tariff countries in the world, and it's difficult to sell there", he added.
Apple has been actively diversifying its supply chain away from China, with India emerging as a key manufacturing base. Through partnerships with Foxconn and Pegatron, Apple has significantly increased its iPhone assembly in India a move aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 'Make in India' initiative and supported by the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme aimed at bolstering local manufacturing.
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Trump’s remarks come at a time when the U.S. and India are engaged in ongoing trade negotiations. India was among the earliest nations to initiate talks with Washington following PM Modi’s visit to the White House in February. The two countries are targeting the completion of the initial phase of a bilateral trade agreement by autumn. India's Commerce Minister will travel to the U.S. on May 17-20 to follow up with Trump administration officials on talks.
The President further asserted that India had offered a trade agreement that would eliminate tariffs on American goods, though no details have been made clear and there has not been an official announcement from the Indian government.
On his trip to Qatar, Trump also unveiled a huge $243.5 billion economic deal, a record purchase order by Qatar Airways for widebody planes from Boeing, among other deals. He also met with strategic meetings with Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, reflecting broader global business partnerships.
