Trump Warns Apple: Trump threatens Apple- If iPhones are made in India, they will have to pay 25% tax

Trump Warns Apple: Former US President Donald Trump has once again created a stir in the global technology market by making a controversial statement. This time the target is the world's leading tech company Apple and its CEO Tim Cook. Trump warned through a scathing post on Truth Social on Friday that iPhones sold in the US should be manufactured only in the US, otherwise Apple will have to pay a tariff of 25%. Trump's statement has come at a time when Apple is rapidly increasing its iPhone manufacturing in India.

Trump's post: Warning or election strategy?

Trump wrote, "I had already made it clear to Tim Cook long ago that iPhones sold in the US should be manufactured in the US, not in India or any other country. If this does not happen, Apple will have to pay at least a 25% tariff." This statement is clearly a political attack on Apple's "China-plus-one" strategy, which is part of the company's plan to reduce dependence on China and increase production in countries like India.

India is becoming a new manufacturing hub

In recent years, India has started emerging as an alternative manufacturing hub for Apple. Taiwan's Foxconn and India's Tata Electronics are jointly producing iPhones in India. With a target of 100,000 iPhones made in India by March 2025, Apple's new plant at Devanahalli near Bengaluru is rapidly taking shape, with an investment of $2.56 billion.

2024 figures: Record exports from India to the US

According to a report by S&P Global, 75.9 million iPhones were sold in the US in 2024, of which 31 lakh units were exported from India till March. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav also announced in April that iPhones worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore were exported from India in FY 2023-24.

Possible impact of Trump's warning

Trump's statement could pose a serious challenge to Apple's global operations. If the tariffs are indeed imposed, iPhone prices in the US could rise by up to 25%. This will have a negative impact on Apple's sales and profits, which will ultimately pass on the burden to consumers. Trump has previously targeted big companies like Amazon, Walmart, and now Apple has also joined the list.

Will Apple stop manufacturing in India?

Despite Trump's threat, it is unlikely that Apple will abandon its "exit China" strategy. Geopolitical risks, logistics costs and the need to diversify are pushing Apple towards options like India. However, Trump's statement can definitely create political pressure for the company, especially with the US presidential election approaching.

Trump vs Apple - What's next?

Donald Trump's statements once again show how technology and global trade are no longer just economic issues, but have also become political tools. Companies like Apple now have to deal not only with logistics and supply chains, but also with geopolitical pressures and policy changes.

It remains to be seen how Apple responds to Trump's threat - whether it will continue with its plans in India or reconsider increasing manufacturing in the US. But it is certain that this clash of technology and politics may become even more intense in the times to come.