Lagatar24 Desk
Doha: Former US President Donald Trump publicly criticized Apple CEO Tim Cook at a business event in Doha, urging him not to expand the company’s manufacturing footprint in India. Trump said that while he appreciates Apple’s investment in the US, he has a “little problem” with their plans to shift more production to India, calling the country a “high-tariff nation.”
India Can “Take Care of Themselves”
“I said to Tim, you’re building all over India. I don’t want you building in India. India can take care of themselves,” Trump remarked, suggesting Apple should prioritize American expansion. He also claimed India offered Washington a trade deal with zero tariffs, a statement that has not been officially confirmed by New Delhi.
Apple’s Strategic Shift Amid Tariff Tensions
The comments come as Apple accelerates efforts to diversify away from China, expanding operations in India with plants in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and more on the way. Tim Cook recently said he expects a majority of US-sold iPhones to soon originate from India. Apple assembled $22 billion worth of iPhones in India last fiscal year — a 60% jump from the previous year.
Despite Trump’s remarks, Apple continues to view India as a key manufacturing base to hedge geopolitical risks and reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains.
