Trump tells Apple to construct iPhones within the US or face 25% tariff

US President Trump has been fairly adamant about

using tariffs
to convey nations to the negotiating desk on commerce, and now his subsequent goal is not a rustic. As a substitute, it is

Apple
, one of many largest tech corporations on the earth.

President Trump issued his starkest warning but to Apple on Friday morning, saying that “a tariff of at the least 25 % should be paid by Apple” if the manufacturing of the iPhone shouldn’t be dropped at the US.

“I’ve way back knowledgeable Tim Cook dinner of Apple that I count on their iPhone’s that can be offered in the US of America can be manufactured and in-built the US, not India, or anyplace else.” Trump posted on Truth Social. “If that’s not the case, a Tariff of at the least 25% should be paid by Apple to the U.S. Thank your in your consideration to this matter!”

Apple has but to reply to Trump’s remarks.

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Trump has “a bit downside” with Tim Cook dinner

It isn’t simply Apple dealing with renewed tariff threats, however the EU too

Apple

The primary indicators of Trump’s frustrations with Apple emerged a couple of week in the past when the president, chatting with the press, talked about that he has “a bit downside” with Apple CEO Tim Cook dinner, stating that he would not need him “constructing in India.” This remark adopted stories that Apple was planning to extend iPhone manufacturing in India by establishing new crops within the nation to mitigate the impacts of the Trump administration’s tariffs on China.

“I stated to him, my pal, I handled you superb. You are coming right here with $500 billion, however now I hear you’re constructing throughout India. I do not need you constructing in India,” Trump stated, chatting with reporters final week about Tim Cook dinner (by way of CNBC).

Trump’s reference to the $500 billion pertains to Apple’s dedication made in February to take a position $500 billion within the US over the subsequent 4 years to rent 20,000 new employees and construct a brand new manufacturing unit for manufacturing servers for Apple Intelligence. Nonetheless, Apple’s dedication doesn’t embrace a promise to supply any iPhones within the US.

At the moment, US tariffs on China are set at 30 %, whereas these on India are set at 10 %. Nonetheless, most electronics, equivalent to smartphones and laptops, are at present exempt from these tariffs (by way of AP). Given Trump’s criticism of Apple on Reality Social, although, that exemption may not final for much longer.

Apple wasn’t the one goal of Trump’s tariff rhetoric on Friday morning both. The president additionally took intention on the European Union, threatening a 50 % tariff on all items coming from the EU, saying that it “has been very tough to take care of” and that he’s “recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, beginning on June 1, 2025.”

It appears from Trump’s feedback that the specter of impending tariffs is not going away anytime quickly, because the president seeks to steer corporations to maneuver their manufacturing to the US and handle “commerce deficits” the US has with its buying and selling companions.

If Trump imposes a 25 % tariff on Apple merchandise imported to the US, costs for fashionable objects like iPhones, iPads, and Macs are prone to rise for customers. Apple is anticipated to launch the

iPhone 17 series
this fall. These tariffs may considerably affect this yr’s launch, which is already rumored to

see a price hike
even earlier than Trump’s renewed tariff threats.

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