Trump warns Apple: make iPhones in the U.S. or face 25% tariff

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Apple and other smartphone makers, demanding that iPhones sold in the United States be manufactured domestically or face steep tariffs.

Trump made the remarks on Friday while signing executive orders on nuclear energy at the White House. He expressed frustration with Apple CEO Tim Cook over reports that the company was expanding iPhone production in India. “I had a little problem with Tim Cook,” Trump said during a speech in Doha last week. “I said to him, ‘Tim, you’re my friend. I treated you very good. You’re coming in with $500 billion.’ But now I hear you’re building all over India. I don’t want you building in India.’”

In a Truth Social post on Friday morning, Trump reiterated his stance, writing: “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else. If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S.”

Trump met with Cook again at the White House on Tuesday, according to a government official, although no details about the meeting were disclosed. Apple has not commented on the situation.

He emphasized that Apple could still build in India, but would face tariffs when selling those products in the U.S. “That’s okay to go to India, but you’re not going to sell into here without tariffs,” Trump said. “And that’s the way it is.”

Trump initially directed the tariff threat solely at Apple but later extended it to other smartphone manufacturers. “It would be also Samsung and anybody that makes that product, otherwise it wouldn’t be fair,” he stated, adding that the tariffs could take effect by the end of June.

This is not the first time Trump has urged Apple to shift production to the U.S. “We have Apple, as you know, that’s coming in… but now I hear you’re building all over India,” he said, warning that India remains a tough market due to its high tariffs, even though recent deals may lower those barriers.