Trump threatens 25 percent tariff on iPhones manufactured overseas

Published: Friday, May 23, 2025 at 3:57 pm

Trump Threatens Tariffs on Overseas-Made iPhones, Pressuring Apple to "Made in USA"

President Donald Trump has reignited pressure on Apple to bring iPhone manufacturing back to the United States, threatening a 25% tariff on iPhones sold in the US that are produced overseas. In a Friday morning post on Truth Social, Trump directly addressed Apple CEO Tim Cook, stating his expectation that iPhones sold in America be "manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else."

This threat comes amid reports that Apple is considering shifting all US-bound iPhone production to India to mitigate trade risks associated with tariffs on goods from China. Apple has already been increasing its iPhone production in India, with CEO Tim Cook recently stating that the majority of US-bound iPhones in the coming quarter would be sourced from India.

Trump's post highlights his long-standing desire to boost American manufacturing. Apple has previously attempted to appease the President, including investments in the US and inviting him to a manufacturing facility opening.

However, analysts suggest that moving iPhone production to the US could significantly increase costs. Increased labor costs alone could potentially raise the price of an American-made iPhone by 25% or more. Additionally, meeting the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) "Made in USA" standards could prove challenging for Apple, potentially requiring further cost increases. The situation presents a complex challenge for Apple, balancing potential tariffs with the economic realities of domestic manufacturing.

Keywords: Trump, Apple, iPhone, tariffs, manufacturing, USA, India, Tim Cook, trade, production, Made in USA, overseas, China, Donald Trump, 25% tariff

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