Trump Warns Apple: 25% Import Tax if iPhones Made in India Are Sold in U.S.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again issued a strong warning regarding Apple’s manufacturing shift to India. Trump declared that if Apple starts producing iPhones in India and brings them into the U.S. market, the company would face a 25% import tax on each device.
This is Trump’s second such warning in a week. The former President, widely expected to run again in the upcoming elections, said that American jobs should not be exported to other countries, and companies like Apple must keep their manufacturing within the United States.
Trump’s remarks came through a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he criticized Apple’s shift from China to India, calling it detrimental to the U.S. economy. He further threatened that if elected, he would impose similar or even higher tariffs on companies outsourcing production outside America.
Implications for India:
Trump's stance has sparked concerns among economists and policymakers in India. Apple has been gradually expanding its manufacturing base in India, providing employment to over 60,000 people and contributing to a declared investment of $14.9 billion. Any import tax from the U.S. could hurt this momentum and impact both FDI inflows and job creation.
Key Points:
- Trump is targeting companies outsourcing manufacturing from the U.S., especially in high-tech sectors.
- He also warned of imposing a 50% tariff on European car imports, signaling a broader protectionist agenda.
- Experts believe such threats could influence India–U.S. trade negotiations and slow down Apple's global supply chain diversification plans.
If these tariffs are enforced, they may force Apple to reconsider its long-term global manufacturing strategy—potentially impacting India’s rise as a global electronics manufacturing hub.
