WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump issued a warning Friday that Apple Inc. will face a 25 per cent tariff on iPhones sold in the U.S. if they are not manufactured domestically. The announcement, posted on Truth Social, has already impacted markets, with Apple shares dropping nearly three per cent in premarket trading.
“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.
The statement signals an escalation in Trump’s push for domestic manufacturing, as his administration continues to apply pressure on American companies that rely on foreign production, particularly in Asia.
Apple, which has already been working to diversify its supply chain away from China, has significantly increased its investment in India as a key alternative production hub. Last month, Reuters reported that Apple was expanding iPhone manufacturing in India in response to existing tariffs on Chinese imports.
The move to threaten tariffs on Apple could have far-reaching implications not only for the company’s global production strategy but also for consumers concerned about potential price increases and supply chain disruptions.
Industry analysts warn that a 25% tariff on non-U.S.-made iPhones could raise retail prices, affect product availability, and strain Apple’s international partnerships. It also injects further uncertainty into the U.S.-China trade landscape and its ripple effects on other regions like India and Southeast Asia.
Apple has not yet issued a public response to the president’s statement.