Following the tech giant’s reluctance to be part of America’s resurgence, President Donald Trump has warned Apple CEO Tim Cook: come aboard or face the consequences.
Specifically, the president is demanding that the company bring iPhone manufacturing back to American soil.
To do so, he warned the Apple CEO that iPhones sold in the U.S. must be made here or face a 25% tariff.
The move signals President Trump’s unwavering commitment to revitalizing American manufacturing while challenging tech giants who have profited from overseas production.
The president delivered his ultimatum through a Truth Social post, directly addressing Cook.
President Trump has been pressuring the CEO to increase domestic manufacturing rather than expanding operations in countries like India, where Apple has been shifting production.
The president stated firmly:
“I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones 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.”
The president’s America First policy is not limited to Apple. He announced the tariff would apply to all smartphone manufacturers, including Samsung, starting at the end of June.
This thorough approach ensures foreign companies cannot undercut American producers while creating jobs and economic growth on U.S. soil.
President Trump and Cook recently met at the White House to discuss manufacturing issues.
🚨President Trump just put Apple’s CEO Tim Cook on blast: pic.twitter.com/HR8h3aj8bj
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) May 23, 2025
During their conversation, he president made his expectations crystal clear: “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 I hear you’re building all over India. I don’t want you building in India,” he added..
Apple has committed half a trillion to U.S. development, including plans for AI server production in Houston, Texas. However, these investments have not included iPhone manufacturing facilities.
Instead, the company has been expanding operations in India through partners like Foxconn while avoiding bringing crucial manufacturing jobs back to American workers.
Analysts assert that moving iPhone production to the U.S. would significantly increase costs, potentially raising prices to $3,500 per unit.
President Trump’s tariff strategy has previously secured better trade deals for America.
By implementing targeted tariffs, the president sought to create powerful incentives for companies to bring manufacturing operations back to the United States.
Apple’s stock fell 2.6% following President Trump’s announcement. The company now faces a clear choice: embrace American manufacturing or pay the price for shipping jobs overseas.
With the president standing firm on his America First agenda, tech giants can no longer exploit foreign labor while expecting unhindered access to American consumers.
