Claim: Former U.S. President Donald Trump told Apple CEO Tim Cook to stop manufacturing iPhones in India and shift production to the United States instead.
Fact Check Summary:
Rating: True, but lacks context
Explanation: Donald Trump did say he asked Tim Cook not to build in India. However, the statement was made as part of a broader commentary on trade tariffs and Apple’s manufacturing plans. There’s no official directive or government policy behind the request—just a personal appeal during a conversation.
What Happened?
At a recent business summit held in Doha, Donald Trump publicly stated that he told Apple CEO Tim Cook to reduce the company’s manufacturing expansion in India. Trump’s exact quote was:
“I said to him, ‘Tim, you’re my friend… but now I hear you are building all over India. I don’t want you building in India. You can build in India if you want to take care of India… but we want you to build here.’”
This came just after Apple announced plans to export iPhones from India to the United States in the coming years—a strategic shift to reduce dependence on China.
Context Behind Trump’s Statement
- In February 2025, Apple pledged to invest $500 billion in U.S. manufacturing over four years, including setting up new units and a manufacturing academy.
- Apple’s main supplier, Foxconn, recently received approval from the Indian government to build a $435 million semiconductor plant in India.
- Reports from Bloomberg and Financial Times claim Apple already makes 20% of its iPhones in India, with plans to increase that to 25%.
Trump’s remarks were delivered during a speech discussing trade imbalances and tariff disputes between the U.S. and India.
Why India Matters to Apple
Apple has been aggressively expanding in India to:
- Diversify away from China
- Leverage lower labor costs
- Benefit from India’s incentives for electronics manufacturing
India is central to Apple’s long-term manufacturing goals, and shifting all production to the U.S. could raise the cost of iPhones to $1,500–$3,500, making the move economically unviable.
Apple’s Response
As of now, Apple has not officially responded to Trump’s remarks. The company continues to work with Foxconn and other partners in India. Experts believe Apple will maintain a global supply chain strategy rather than shifting operations entirely to the U.S.
Verdict
Trump did say he asked Tim Cook to stop expanding in India, but it was not a policy directive—just a personal opinion expressed during a public talk. There’s no evidence that Apple is halting its India plans as a result of this conversation.