Donald Trump Urges Apple's Tim Cook to Avoid Manufacturing iPhones in India

US President Donald Trump claimed that he spoke with Apple Inc CEO Tim Cook in Doha, Qatar, and told him that there is no need to build factories in India unless they serve a specific market.

"I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday," Trump said of his conversation with Apple's CEO in Qatar, where he is on state visit. "He is building across India. I do not want you building in India." Following their conversation, Trump stated that Apple will be "upping their production in the United States."  

Earlier this month, Cook stated that India will play a significant role in manufacturing iPhones for the US market. 

"The majority of iPhones sold in the United States will be made in India," Cook said while announcing the tech giant's most recent quarterly earnings.  The statement comes as Apple considers how to navigate the impact of Trump's tariffs on its supply chains, sales, and profit margins.

Apple manufactures the majority of its iPhones in China, with no smartphone production in the United States.  Apple and its suppliers have accelerated their shift away from China, which began when Covid-19 lockdowns hampered production at the company's largest plant. Trump's tariffs, combined with tensions between Beijing and Washington, prompted Apple to step up its efforts.

The majority of iPhones made in India are assembled at Foxconn Technology Group's plant in the south of the country. Tata Group, which acquired Wistron Corp's local business and now manages Pegatron Corp.'s local facilities, is another major supplier. Tata and Foxconn are expanding their presence in southern India, building new factories and increasing production capacity. 

Apple produced $22 billion worth of iPhones in India in the fiscal year ending March 31, representing a nearly 60% increase over the previous year.