President Donald Trump is turning up the heat on Apple, urging CEO Tim Cook to shift more iPhone production to the United States rather than expanding operations in India. During a recent conversation, Trump expressed frustration over Apple’s growing investment abroad and made clear he wants the iconic American company to prioritize American jobs.
“I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday,” Trump said while visiting Qatar. “He is building all over India. I don’t want you building in India.” While Apple has been gradually moving production out of China, most of its manufacturing is now heading to India—not the United States.
Trump’s push comes amid a broader effort to restore American manufacturing and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign supply chains. He indicated Apple has responded positively, stating the company would be “upping their production in the United States.” Still, building iPhones in the U.S. would be a major undertaking, considering Apple’s vast, long-established infrastructure in China and its rapidly growing operations in India.
Analysts remain skeptical that a full domestic shift is feasible anytime soon. Tarun Pathak of Counterpoint Research said, “He wants to push Apple to localize more and build a supply chain in the U.S., which is not going to happen overnight. Making in the U.S. will also be much more expensive than assembling iPhones in India.”
Trump clarified he would support India-based manufacturing if it serves the Indian market, but reiterated his stance that Apple should serve American consumers with American labor. “You can build in India if you want, to take care of India,” he said.
Apple’s India expansion has been aggressive. In the 12 months through March, the company assembled $22 billion worth of iPhones in India—a nearly 60 percent increase from the year before. Major suppliers like Foxconn and Tata are expanding their presence across southern India, and much of Apple’s global manufacturing is now centered there.
Trump also hinted at broader trade discussions with India, noting that the South Asian nation—one of the world’s most protectionist economies—is finally beginning to ease some of its steep import tariffs. “They’ve made an offer,” Trump said, indicating negotiations are underway that could open the Indian market to more U.S. exports.
For Trump, the Apple conversation is part of a larger effort to bring American jobs back home and hold powerful corporations accountable for offshoring critical industries. Conservatives have long criticized Big Tech for chasing cheap labor abroad while reaping massive profits at home. Trump’s pressure on Apple marks another step toward reversing that trend.
Whether Apple ultimately complies remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Trump is once again using his influence to demand American companies put American workers first. As the 2026 midterms approach, the message is resonating—especially in swing states that have paid the price for decades of offshoring and global outsourcing.
