Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on Apple iPhones Made Overseas
In a dramatic escalation of his "America First" manufacturing agenda, President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Apple if the company continues producing iPhones abroad, specifically in India, for sale in the United States.
Trump didn’t stop at Apple. Speaking to reporters, he made clear the proposed tariff would apply to any smartphone maker selling in the US—including Samsung, a company that has diversified its manufacturing footprint across South Korea, Vietnam, India, and Brazil.
Apple’s Manufacturing Shift and Trump’s Pushback
Apple has been gradually moving production away from China amid rising geopolitical tensions and supply chain uncertainties.
Apple scored a temporary reprieve when Trump exempted electronics from the broader round of tariffs targeting China last month. However, the situation may change rapidly if Trump’s latest rhetoric turns into policy.
Samsung’s Global Footprint
While Apple may bear the brunt of the pressure, Samsung could also be in the crosshairs. The South Korean tech giant closed its last Chinese phone factory in 2019 and has since concentrated production in Vietnam, India, Brazil, and its home country, avoiding the China-centric supply chain risks that Apple is now navigating.
A Strategic Economic Play?
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the president’s tariff stance, saying the goal is to revive precision manufacturing in the US and reduce dependence on foreign semiconductor production.
The comments come after multiple meetings between Trump and Tim Cook, including one in Riyadh and another at the White House earlier this week. While details of those meetings have not been disclosed, it’s clear that tensions are rising between the tech world and Trump’s economic agenda.
What’s Next?
Whether this is a negotiating tactic or the beginning of a new trade policy direction remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the global tech manufacturing landscape is once again being shaped not just by market forces, but by politics.