Trump Threatens Apple With 25% Tariff on iPhones

Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Apple iPhones unless production is moved to the US.

“I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone’s that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,” Trump posted on Truth Social Friday morning. “If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S.”

Apple currently manufactures most of its iPhone components in China and India, and the company has long argued that relocating such a large-scale operation to the US is impractical due to the lack of a low-cost workforce, and lead to devices that could cost over $3,500. Apple has also estimated that even if production were moved, it would take a decade to become fully operational in the US. However, the company has left the door open for eventually relocating its manufacturing to America, contingent on advancements in robotics that would enable production at a scale and precision comparable to human labor.