U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he had urged Apple CEO Tim Cook not to shift the company’s manufacturing operations to India, criticizing Apple’s ongoing efforts to diversify production away from China. Instead, Trump encouraged the tech giant to increase its investment in domestic manufacturing.
“I had a little issue with Tim Cook yesterday,” Trump remarked. “I told him, ‘Tim, I’ve treated you well. You’re bringing $500 billion into the U.S., but now I’m hearing you’re expanding operations across India. I don’t want that.’”
Trump was referring to Apple’s previously announced $500 billion commitment to invest in the United States. Despite that pledge, Apple has accelerated its manufacturing expansion in India, aiming to produce approximately 25% of its global iPhones there in the coming years. Currently, around 90% of Apple’s iPhones are assembled in China.
“I told Tim, ‘We’ve tolerated your production in China for years. Now it’s time to build here. We’re not interested in more factories in India—India can take care of itself. We want you building in the U.S.,’” Trump added.
He also claimed Apple would increase its U.S. production, though he did not provide further specifics.
