Just last week, former President Donald Trump decried Apple’s plans to increase production in India. He mentioned this during a T4America Facebook live discussion on our deteriorating trade relations. As he spoke about the larger trade moment between America and India, he underscored the tech colossus’ responsibility to pay attention to American manufacturing. His remarks unmistakably betrayed that wish.
In a meeting that took place on March 6, 2019, at the White House, Trump confronted Apple CEO Tim Cook regarding the company’s intentions to build products in India. Look, I got a little bit of a problem, too, with Tim Cook yesterday. And, of course, I said you son of a… to him, ‘my friend, you abused me badly. You’re coming here with $500 billion, but now I hear you’re building all over India. I don’t want you building in India.’
Trump solidified his credibility by doubling down and calling on Apple to manufacture more of its products in America. He remarked, “We’re not interested in you building in India, India can take care of themselves … we want you to build here.” This announcement is a part of the larger strategy to reshore jobs and strengthen our domestic production capacity.
During the discussion, Trump referenced India’s trade policies, calling it “one of the highest tariff nations in the world.” At the same time, he said India undercut U.S. negotiations by putting out its own deal to the United States, providing zero-tariffs for American products. Even with this favorable offer, Trump’s trade policy hasn’t changed and is still set on boosting U.S. manufacturing.
Apple’s promise to invest $500 billion in the United States was another key point of the discussion. Trump rightly celebrated this historic investment but made it clear that he wants to see it translate into tangible benefits for American workers. He warned that if Apple were to make all iPhones in the U.S., that would push the retail price to between $1,500 and $3,500. This jarring reality drives home the powerful economic impact of these types of decisions.
Additionally, Trump dropped the bomb that Apple is seriously considering expanding its production in the U.S. This aligns with his administration’s efforts to encourage companies to relocate production back home and reduce reliance on foreign manufacturing.