During a visit to Qatar, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed he had a tense exchange with Apple CEO Tim Cook, urging him to increase manufacturing within the United States rather than expanding operations in India. Trump stated he reminded Cook of the favorable treatment Apple has received and expressed disappointment over the company’s investment in Indian production facilities.
Referring to Apple’s previously announced $500 billion investment in the U.S. over four years, Trump insisted that Apple should focus on domestic expansion instead of shifting production abroad. He emphasized his concern about the difficulty of selling American products in India, citing the country’s high tariff barriers. Nonetheless, he mentioned that India had offered a potential “no-tariff” arrangement.
Trump’s comments followed Cook’s earlier announcement that a majority of Apple products sold in the U.S. — particularly iPhones — would soon originate from India and Vietnam rather than China, which continues to face steep U.S. tariffs. Cook added that Vietnam would temporarily become the primary production site for iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and AirPods destined for the U.S. market, while China would remain the main hub for global sales outside the U.S.
The shift comes as Apple, heavily impacted by U.S.-China trade tensions, has seen its stock fall by about 5.1% following tariff announcements. Despite the challenges, a recent agreement between the U.S. and China to ease tariffs for a 90-day period has offered a glimmer of hope for improved trade relations.
