India’s aspirations to become a key manufacturing hub for Apple have hit a diplomatic roadblock, as former U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly intervened directly to prevent further production shifts to the country.
In a public statement, Trump disclosed that he personally requested Apple CEO Tim Cook to reconsider plans to expand manufacturing in India. “I had a minor disagreement with Tim Cook yesterday,” Trump said. “He was moving operations to India. I told him I didn’t like that idea, and now Apple has agreed to increase production within the United States.”
The discussion reportedly took place during a recent meeting between Trump and Cook in Qatar. Trump also remarked critically on India’s tariff policies, calling the country one of the highest taxers of American goods.
Apple had been eyeing India as a strategic alternative to China, especially after mounting tariffs and geopolitical tensions impacted its China-based supply chains. Foxconn and Tata Electronics have already been assembling iPhones in India, with Cook recently confirming that a significant portion of iPhones sold in the U.S. in the June quarter would be manufactured in India. However, Apple’s other products—such as MacBooks, iPads, Apple Watches, and AirPods—are still primarily sourced from Vietnam.
Despite Trump’s pushback, India continues to strengthen its case as a global manufacturing destination. Trump also noted that India had offered the U.S. a deal involving “zero tariffs” on a range of American goods—a potential boost for bilateral trade.
Trade negotiations between India and the U.S. are ongoing, and Trump had earlier hinted at substantial progress. On April 30, he expressed optimism about reaching a comprehensive trade agreement soon.
