In a surprising and politically charged statement, former U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized Apple CEO Tim Cook over the tech giant’s growing manufacturing footprint in India. The move could throw a wrench into Apple’s ongoing efforts to diversify its supply chain away from China — a strategy the company has accelerated over the past few years.
“He Is Building All Over India”: Trump’s Rebuke to Tim Cook
During a state visit to Qatar, Trump revealed a recent conversation he had with Apple’s CEO, expressing disapproval of the company’s expanding presence in India. According to Bloomberg, Trump stated:
“I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday. He is building all over India.”
Trump’s main contention is that Apple is moving critical operations out of the U.S. despite receiving favorable treatment in the past. He added that India had offered Apple an attractive deal with “literally no tariffs,” but insisted:
“We are not interested in you building in India. India can take care of themselves.”
He claimed that Cook responded positively and assured that Apple would be “upping their production in the United States.”
Why Apple Is Betting Big on India
Apple has been steadily shifting iPhone production to India over the past few years, largely driven by:
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The fallout from COVID-19 lockdowns in China.
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Geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China.
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The need to hedge supply chain risks.
India has emerged as a key alternative. In the fiscal year ending March, Apple manufactured $22 billion worth of iPhones in India, representing a 60% increase year-over-year.
Much of this output comes from Foxconn’s factory in southern India, with support from Tata Group, which now manages operations from former Wistron and Pegatron facilities. Apple’s long-term goal is reportedly to make India the primary hub for US-bound iPhone exports by the end of next year.
The Bigger Picture: De-Risking from China
Apple’s shift is part of a broader strategy to de-risk from China, which had long served as the backbone of its global supply chain. Tim Cook, in Apple’s recent earnings call, addressed this trend directly:
“What we learned some time ago, having everything in one location had too much risk with it… We’ve opened up new sources of supply.”
This strategy reflects lessons learned from the pandemic era, as well as the unpredictability of tariff policies — many of which were introduced during Trump’s own administration.
Balancing Global Growth with U.S. Commitments
While Cook is looking eastward to India, he has not neglected Apple’s U.S. presence. During the same earnings call, Cook emphasized that Apple plans to invest $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years, including the opening of a new advanced server manufacturing facility in Texas.
This announcement may be part of Apple’s effort to strike a balance — keeping its international manufacturing nimble and diversified, while still investing heavily in the domestic economy.
Credits: Wall Street Journal
What’s at Stake?
Trump’s comments may carry political weight, especially as he eyes another presidential run. His protectionist stance could influence public sentiment — and possibly even regulatory policy — around how much manufacturing American companies should keep within U.S. borders.
For Apple, the challenge now is navigating this growing political pressure while maintaining its long-term vision of a resilient, multi-country supply chain. With India offering significant cost advantages, a massive labor pool, and growing infrastructure, it remains an attractive option.
But if Trump’s influence grows — and if his America-first policies make a comeback — Apple might have to re-evaluate how quickly, and how far, it expands outside U.S. soil.
Final Thoughts
Apple is walking a tightrope: managing investor expectations, minimizing supply chain risks, and satisfying political stakeholders — all while delivering on its product timelines. Whether India remains central to its plans will now depend not just on economics, but also on the shifting winds of global politics.
