Trump tells Apple CEO not to build in India

Doha

US President Donald Trump told Apple CEO Tim Cook that he does not want Apple to expand production in India. Speaking during a business event in Doha on Thursday, Trump criticized India’s high tariffs and said the US should not support companies moving manufacturing there.

Trump claimed that India offered to remove all tariffs on American goods but did not give official details. "I told Tim Cook, my friend, we’ve treated you well. You’re making billions, but now you’re building in India. I don’t want you building in India," Trump said. He called India one of the world’s highest tariff nations and said it was hard to sell products there.

Trump also pointed out that Apple has long produced goods in China and said the US had tolerated that. But now, he wants Apple to avoid expanding in India. "India can take care of themselves," he added.

There has been no confirmation from India about dropping tariffs. Trump’s comments came after Apple CEO Cook said the company had seen record sales in India recently. Cook also said Apple will soon supply most US iPhones from Indian factories.

According to S&P Global, Apple sold 75.9 million iPhones in the US last year, with 3.1 million units exported from India in March 2025 alone.

Trump has previously criticized India’s tariffs, calling the country a “tariff king.” While trade talks continue between the two countries, Trump has pushed for fairer deals and announced temporary tariff suspensions on several nations—excluding China and Hong Kong.