Trump Urges Apple to Focus Manufacturing in India for Local Market

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified calls for Apple CEO Tim Cook to prioritize manufacturing in the United States rather than India. During a recent event in Qatar, Trump expressed his concerns regarding Apple's production strategies. He emphasized his longstanding friendship with Cook and noted that despite Cook's announcement of a substantial $500 billion investment in the U.S., production is still heavily centered in India.

Trump articulated his desire for Apple to limit its manufacturing in India strictly to meet the local market's demand. This statement aligns with ongoing pressures from the Trump administration urging Apple to establish iPhone production facilities in the United States, which is considered the company's flagship product. Experts, however, caution that such a transition would necessitate significant investments and could lead to increased prices for consumers.

Under Tim Cook's leadership, Apple has developed extensive supply chains in Asia, particularly in China, over the past several decades. In response to recent supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19 lockdowns in China, Apple has already started to expand its manufacturing capabilities in India and Vietnam. This shift has been partly prompted by Trump's announcements regarding tariffs, which have led Apple to rethink its logistics for the U.S. market.

Current plans indicate that a significant portion of iPhones sold in the U.S. will now be produced in India, while other products such as iPads, Mac computers, and Apple Watches are expected to be sourced primarily from Vietnam. This strategic move is intended to benefit from lower tariffs associated with goods produced in these countries compared to those manufactured in China.

Recently, Trump's Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, revealed that Cook had assured him Apple would consider establishing an iPhone manufacturing line in the U.S. once the necessary technology, specifically precision robotic arms, is available for production. This development highlights the ongoing conversation about balancing local manufacturing capabilities with global supply chain dynamics.

As the dialogue surrounding domestic production continues, stakeholders in the tech industry are closely monitoring how these changes may affect Apple's operational strategies and overall market presence.