Donald Trump warned that increased tariffs on iPhones and similar devices could take effect by the end of June
Former President Donald Trump has warned Apple and other smartphone makers that they could face a tariff of “at least 25 percent” on iPhones and similar devices unless they shift production to the U.S.
On Truth Social, Trump stated: “I informed Apple CEO Tim Cook a long time ago that iPhones sold in the United States should be made here, not in India or any other country. If they aren’t, Apple will have to pay a minimum 25% tariff. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Later that Friday, during a conversation with reporters at the White House, Trump said the proposed tariff would extend to other companies as well — including Samsung — and would take effect by the end of June. “It would have to apply to Samsung and anyone else making similar products, otherwise it wouldn’t be fair,” he said.
The warning follows Trump’s recent criticism of Apple, coming just a week after he remarked that he’d “had a little problem with Tim Cook,” in response to reports that Apple plans to manufacture all U.S.-bound iPhones in India — a move that would significantly increase production there. Just days earlier, the Financial Times reported that Apple’s key supplier, Foxconn, is investing $1.5 billion into a new plant in Chennai, India, to produce iPhone displays. Apple has been gradually shifting production outside of China for years, a process accelerated by the pandemic and rising tensions between the U.S. and China.
Speaking to reporters, Trump commented on Cook’s decision: “He said he’s going to India to build plants. I told him that’s fine — go to India — but you won’t be selling here without tariffs. That’s just how it’s going to be.”
Currently, India faces a standard 10% global tariff, while China is subject to a steeper 30% rate, which could increase in August when a temporary reduction ends. While Apple’s devices, including iPhones, are largely exempt from most of these tariffs for now, the unpredictable trade climate has pushed the company to continue expanding manufacturing outside of China.Although Apple has committed to investing $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years — and CEO Tim Cook personally contributed $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund — many industry analysts agree that producing iPhones entirely in the U.S. isn’t feasible. As Steve Jobs famously told President Obama in 2011: “Those jobs aren’t coming back.”
