Donald Trump tells Apple CEO Tim Cook to not make iPhones in India

US President Donald Trump said he’s asked Apple Inc.’s Tim Cook to stop constructing plants in India to make devices for the United States, pushing the iPhone maker to feature domestic manufacturing because it pivots away from China. 

“I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday,” Trump said of his conversation with Apple’s chief executive officer in Qatar, where he’s on a state visit. “He is building all over India. I don’t need you building in India.” Due to their discussion, Trump stated Apple will be “upping their production within the United States.” Apple representatives in India did not reply to a request for comment. 

Trump mentioned Apple’s previous vow to invest $500 billion into the US, which was revealed in February. He noted that Apple would be increasing production in the US, though he did not provide any details.  

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Apple’s growth in India is part of a plan to diversify production away from China, where most of its flagship iPhones are currently manufactured. Its main partner, Foxconn, recently acquired Indian government approval to construct a semiconductor plant with the HCL organization. 

Trump made the remarks while discussing broader US-India trade problems. He described India as “one of the highest tariff nations in the world” but said the U.S. has presented to waive a few tariffs under a proposed deal. 

In April, as part of a new trade initiative, the United States enacted a 26% ‘reciprocal tariff’ on goods from India, which is presently in force on a provisional basis.  

Although Apple produces the Mac Pro domestically and recently disclosed intentions to develop servers for its AI infrastructure in Texas, experts suggest that large-scale iPhone manufacturing in the US is still improbable due to more favorable expenses—estimated between $1,500 and $3,500, consistent with the product.  

Apple has not yet commented on Trump’s remarks.