The remarks made by former U.S. President at a business event in Doha have stirred discussion regarding the global manufacturing strategies of Apple and trade relations between the U.S. and India. Speaking about a recent interaction with Apple CEO Tim Cook, the former President stated, “I said to him, my friend, I am treating you very good. You are coming up with $500 billion, but now I hear you are building all over India. I don’t want you building in India. You can build in India, if you want to take care of India because India is one of the highest tariff nations in the world, so it is very hard to sell in India.”
These comments come at a time when Apple has been increasing its manufacturing footprint in India. Recent reports indicate that a significant portion of iPhones destined for the U.S. market in the upcoming quarter will originate from India, a strategic move amidst ongoing trade uncertainties. In the last fiscal year ending in March 2025, Apple reportedly produced iPhones worth $22 billion in India, marking a substantial 60 percent increase compared to the previous year.
The former President also claimed that India had offered a deal to eliminate tariffs on U.S. goods, though he did not provide specific details, and there has been no immediate confirmation from New Delhi regarding such an offer. He suggested that Apple should focus on expanding its production in the United States instead.
India is recognized as a significant market for Apple and is considered the company’s fourth-largest globally. There are existing Apple manufacturing plants in India, located in Chennai and Karnataka, where companies like Foxconn and Tata Group operate production units.
These statements highlight the complexities of international trade and the considerations that multinational corporations like Apple weigh when making decisions about their supply chains and manufacturing locations. The intersection of geopolitical factors, tariff policies, and market opportunities plays a crucial role in shaping these strategies.