In a fiery and unexpected statement, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged Apple CEO Tim Cook not to shift more iPhone manufacturing operations to India. At a business gathering in Doha, Trump reportedly said, “I don’t want you building in India. India can take care of themselves.”

India’s Strategic Trade Move

India has asked for the removal of all tariffs on U.S. imports in order to improve trade relations. Considering the current situation, this is a significant concession. New Delhi wants to become a global manufacturing hub and draw in companies like Apple by offering incentives and changing the law.

Apple’s Rising Bet on India

Apple has significantly expanded its manufacturing base in India. The tech giant produced $22 billion worth of iPhones in India in the fiscal year 2023–2024, a 60% rise from the year before. Apple’s worldwide diversification plan, which has been strengthened by concerns about the supply chain and rising US-China tensions, includes this project.

Trump’s Push for ‘Made in USA’

Trump urged Apple to bring employment back to the U.S., restating his famous “America First” slogan to Tim Cook. Even if it means losing access to developing markets like India, he argued that American companies should promote home manufacturing and reduce their reliance on output from elsewhere.

Trade and Tech Global Implications

Economic tensions between the US and India are made worse by Trump’s remarks. Both countries’ technical investments, geopolitical relationships, and global supply chains would be significantly impacted by this conflict.

The objective of the move is very clear: India wants to improve commercial relations with the US in a way that is advantageous to both nations. The issue is still the same even if the Indian government has not yet responded to Trump’s comments.   

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