Trump Wakes Up And Goes Straight For Apple—And Tim Cook
Welp, in more Donald Trump tariff drama, the former president popped off early Friday morning with a fresh demand—this time for Apple.
He hopped on X (formerly Twitter) at the top of the morning and said,
“I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone’s 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. Thank your for your attention to this matter!”
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Apple and tech companies like it caught a break last month when Trump exempted electronics from his sweeping tariffs on China. That move helped them breathe, especially as they’ve been shifting production from China to other countries—including India.
But now? That break might be short-lived.
RELATED:China-Funded Companies Temu and Shein Announce US Price Hikes Due to Tariffs
Tim Cook Breaks Down Apple’s Cost Concerns
Apple CEO Tim Cook previously explained why this shift to India was necessary. On a quarterly earnings call, he said:
“Assuming the current global tariff rates, policies, and applications do not change for the balance of the quarter and no new tariffs are added, we estimate the impact to add $900 million to our costs.”
Translation? These tariffs are no joke. They’re pushing Apple to move manufacturing where it’s cheaper.
Even before all this drama, Cook told investors that most iPhones sold in the U.S. would start coming from India. And honestly, some already are.
The whole “build American” vibe that Trump’s pushing might sound patriotic, but it comes with a big price tag. Wall Street analysts are already predicting that moving iPhone production to the U.S. would increase the cost of each phone by at least 25%.
Trump To Tim: “You’re My Friend… But Stop Building In India”
This ain’t just about business. It’s personal. Trump and Cook had a face-to-face recently, and things got real.
Trump reportedly told 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.”
Talk about pressure. Apple is one of America’s most iconic brands, but Trump is making it clear: loyalty means manufacturing on U.S. soil.
What It Means For Us: That iPhone Price About To Jump?
Now, let’s break this down. If the iPhone 16 Pro is already retailing for $1,000 and Trump’s tariff threat goes into effect? That phone could easily hit $1,250 or more.
That’s a major hit for everyday consumers already dealing with inflation and economic pressure. And what’s the trade-off? More U.S. jobs if Apple plays along. But the company hasn’t said if it’s bending just yet.
Socialites, how do you feel about this? Sound off in the comment box below!