By: Jerome Brookshire

In a pointed and highly public rebuke, President Donald Trump has expressed his frustration with Apple Inc. over its growing manufacturing footprint in India. According to a report last Wednesday at India Today, Trump made the remarks during a business event in Doha, singling out Apple CEO Tim Cook for allegedly shifting too much of the company’s production away from the United States.

“I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday,” Trump said, as reported by India Today. “I said to him, my friend, I am treating you very good. You are coming up with $500 billion, but now I hear you are building all over India. I don’t want you building in India.”

Trump’s comments reflect a consistent theme from his 2024 presidential campaign: a staunch commitment to reshoring American jobs and revitalizing domestic industry. According to India Today, the former president criticized India’s high tariffs and difficult market conditions, adding pointedly, “We are not interested in you building in India. India can take care of themselves.”

The confrontation called attention to the ongoing tension between Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) policy and the global strategies of multinational corporations like Apple. As CA (Dr.) Suresh Surana explained to India Today, Trump’s message is rooted in a long-standing push to rebuild U.S. manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign labor markets.

“Apple’s production in India is part of India’s rise as a global manufacturing hub,” Surana noted. “But Trump’s focus is increasing production at home, creating jobs for Americans.” Still, Surana told India Today that the better path forward may lie in a collaborative model—leveraging India’s cost-efficiency alongside U.S. expertise in branding and innovation.

Apple’s shift to India has been years in the making. As India Today reports, the company began manufacturing iPhones in India in 2017 with the iPhone SE. Since then, the tech giant has significantly expanded operations with production lines for the iPhone 12 through 16, including high-end Pro models, and more recently, AirPods.

Between April 2024 and March 2025, Apple reportedly produced $22 billion worth of iPhones in India—a staggering 60% increase over the previous year. According to India Today, roughly 15% of all iPhones globally are now manufactured in India, with a significant share exported directly to the U.S.

India’s appeal is multifaceted: it offers lower labor costs, a vast pool of skilled workers, and relative geopolitical neutrality. Additionally, by reducing its reliance on China, Apple is insulating itself from future U.S.-China trade tensions, which have already resulted in billions in tariffs for the tech industry.

Foxconn, Apple’s key supplier, recently announced a $1.5 billion investment in India to expand manufacturing capabilities—yet another sign of Apple’s long-term commitment to the region.

If Apple were to heed Trump’s directive and move more manufacturing back to the U.S., the consequences could be costly. Analysts from Bank of America, as quoted by India Today, estimate that iPhone prices could rise by up to 25% due to higher labor costs and the expense of building and operating factories in the U.S.

Despite the political pressure, Apple shows no signs of retreating from India. A report cited by India Today from The Economic Times indicates that company executives have reaffirmed India’s role in Apple’s global strategy during recent meetings with Indian government officials.