US President Donald Trump on Friday escalated his economic nationalism rhetoric, demanding that Apple and other smartphone makers like Samsung manufacture their devices in the United States or face a 25% tariff. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said he had “long ago informed” Apple CEO Tim Cook of his expectations that iPhones sold in the US be made domestically, not in India or other countries.
“If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the US,” Trump stated. He later confirmed in an Oval Office press briefing that the tariff would apply broadly to any smartphone company selling in the US, including Samsung.
Trump expressed confidence that Apple could produce affordable iPhones within the United States. “Much of the manufacturing process is now highly automated — these facilities are incredible when you see them — and they’re capable of handling it,” he said. Apple currently sells over 60 million iPhones annually in the US alone.
Samsung, other companies also in the crosshairs
Trump’s tariff threat wasn’t limited to Apple. He confirmed the policy would also impact Samsung, which manufactures most of its phones in South Korea, Vietnam, India, and Brazil. Although Samsung exited China years ago, the company could still face tariffs for not producing US-bound phones domestically. “The tariff would apply to any phone maker selling devices in the US. It would be more. It would be also Samsung and anybody that makes that product,” Trump said. “Otherwise it wouldn’t be fair.”
Apple’s India strategy draws Trump’s ire
Trump’s comments follow his recent criticism of Apple during a Middle East trip, where he expressed displeasure over the company’s growing iPhone production footprint in India. Apple CEO Tim Cook had previously told investors that the majority of iPhones sold in the US would soon be manufactured in India, part of the company’s broader effort to diversify its supply chain.
Trump reportedly confronted Cook in Qatar, saying, “I don’t want you building in India,” despite their longstanding business rapport. The two met again Tuesday at the White House, though details of that meeting remain undisclosed.
Costly shift for Apple
Apple has long argued that manufacturing iPhones in the US would be nearly impossible without massive investment and significant cost increases. According to analysts, replicating Asia’s complex supply chain in America would cost Apple over $30 billion and take years. iPhones made entirely in the US could cost more than three times their current $1,000 price tag.
Apple’s late co-founder Steve Jobs once told President Obama that the US lacks the industrial engineers needed to support such manufacturing. The company has trained millions abroad, particularly in China and India, to meet the high-tech production demands.
National security and supply chain concerns
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent backed Trump’s stance, citing the vulnerability of external production, especially in semiconductors. He urged companies like Apple to help “secure the supply chain,” highlighting recent efforts like TSMC’s new chip plant in Arizona.