Trump threatens Apple, Samsung with 25% tariff if they manufacture phones in India

The US President Donald Trump called on Apple and other smartphone makers like Samsung manufacture their phones in the United States or face a tariff of at least 25% if they manufacture phones in India.

“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the US.”

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office after signing executive orders, Trump clarified that the tariff would apply broadly. “It would be more. It would also be Samsung and anybody that makes that product,” he said. “Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair.”

Read: US raises tariffs on Chinese imports to 245%

Trump’s comments come after expressing displeasure with Apple CEO Tim Cook during his recent Middle East trip, specifically over Apple’s plans to manufacture iPhones for the US market at plants in India. 

Apple has been diversifying its production, with some iPhone manufacturing shifting to India. Cook mentioned in an earnings call earlier this month that “the majority of iPhones sold in the US will have India as their country of origin.” 

Cook also said Apple expects to face a tariff burden of up to $900 million this quarter.

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Unlike Apple, Samsung manufactures most of its smartphones outside China, primarily in South Korea, Vietnam, India, and Brazil. Despite tariff reductions on Chinese goods, a 10% tariff remains on most imports into the US.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News that the administration wants to “bring back precision manufacturing to the US,” particularly in semiconductors.

“A large part of Apple’s components are in semiconductors,” he noted, emphasising the need for a more secure semiconductor supply chain. Some of Apple’s chips are already produced in the US through its partnership with TSMC, which recently opened a plant in Arizona.