Trump to Apple: Build iPhones in the U.S. or Pay 25% Tariff

President Donald Trump on Thursday declared that Apple Inc. will face a 25% tariff on all iPhones manufactured outside the United States and sold within the country. The policy, announced via Truth Social, is part of a renewed push to pressure the tech giant to shift production back to American soil.

The announcement marks a dramatic expansion of Trump’s “America First” economic strategy during his second term. By imposing tariffs on foreign-manufactured Apple devices, Trump is intensifying his push to reduce reliance on overseas manufacturing and bolster domestic industry.

Background: Trump Previously Warned Apple Over India

The tariff declaration follows an earlier warning from President Trump to Apple CEO Tim Cook regarding the company’s expanding operations in India. Speaking at a business summit in Doha just one day before the Truth Social post, Trump publicly criticized Apple for building manufacturing plants in India, calling the country “one of the highest tariff nations in the world.”

“I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday,” Trump told the audience. “I said to him, ‘You’re coming here with a $500 billion announcement, and now I hear you’re building all over India. Don’t do that unless you want to take care of India.’”

That exchange appears to have directly preceded Thursday’s tariff announcement and signals a sharp pivot in Trump’s trade policy toward American tech firms operating abroad.

Apple has not yet commented publicly on either the Doha remarks or the 25% tariff directive. Market analysts are watching closely for a corporate response and expect stock volatility as trading resumes Friday.

While Trump’s announcement lacks details about implementation or timing, it reflects his administration’s broader efforts to force multinational corporations to localize production, especially in critical sectors like electronics and technology.