President Trump on Friday threatened to hit Apple with 25 percent tariffs if he does not move the company’s manufacturing to the U.S.
“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 said in a post on Truth Social.
“If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S.” he continued. “Thank your for your attention to this matter!”
The president has taken aim at Apple and CEO Tim Cook in recent weeks over the iPhone maker’s manufacturing in India.
Apple produces the vast majority of its products in China. However, it has increasingly sought to diversify its supply chain, moving manufacturing to countries like India and Vietnam.
The company’s shift away from China has been central to its efforts to avoid the worst impacts amid Trump’s trade war with Beijing.
Trump voiced his frustration with Cook earlier this month, after he reached an agreement with China to substantially lower tariffs for 90 days.
“I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday. I said to him, ‘Tim you’re my friend, I treated you very good. You’re coming in with $500 billion, but now you’re building all over India. I don’t want you building in India,’” Trump said.
“I said, ‘Tim, look, we’ve treated you really good. We’ve put up with all the plants that you built in China for years. Now, you gotta build us. We’re not interested in you building in India. India can take care of themselves. They’re doing very well. We want you to build here,’” he added. “And they’re going to be upping their production in the United States.”
