Build them in the US: Trump reiterates 25% tariff threat on Apple iPhones

UPDATED: May 24, 2025 06:53 IST

US President Donald Trump on Friday reiterated his demand that major manufacturers, including Apple, produce their iPhones within the United States or face a 25% tariff. His remarks came during the signing of several executive orders, including ones promoting nuclear energy development.

While addressing the media, Trump stated that Apple and other tech companies must relocate production to the US to avoid heavy tariffs.

"When they build their plant here, there's no tariff. So they're building plants here but I had an understanding with him (Tim Cook) that he wouldn't be doing this. He said he's going to India to build plants. I said, that's okay to go to India, but you're not going to sell into here without tariffs. And that's the way it is,” Trump was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Trump emphasized that these tariffs, potentially set at 25 per cent, would apply not just to Apple but to any company manufacturing similar products overseas, such as Samsung. “It wouldn’t be fair otherwise,” he added.

Trump exuded confidence that domestic manufacturing wouldn’t necessarily drive up consumer prices due to advancements in automation.

“These plants are amazing if you look at them, but they can do that. Apple's coming in with 500 billion dollars. So are the chip companies coming in. The biggest 500 billion, 200 billion, 250 billion dollars they're spending. But we're talking about the iPhone now. And you know, the iPhone, if they're to sell it in America, I want it to be built in the United States. They're able to do that,” he said.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote,"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.”
"If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S. Thank your for your attention to this matter,” he further added.

Trump also referenced major planned investments by tech and chip companies in the US, citing figures of up to USD 500 billion. “We’re talking about the iPhone now, but others are coming too,” he said.

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