President Donald Trump issued a ultimatum to Apple on Friday, threatening to impose a 25% tariff on the tech giant’s products, specifically targeting iPhones, unless the company shifts its manufacturing operations to the United States.
The declaration on Trump’s Truth Social platform signals a potential significant price hike for consumers and a major challenge to Apple’s global supply chain strategy.
“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,” Trump stated in his social media post. “If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S.”
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This renewed pressure on Apple comes as the company, under CEO Tim Cook, has been actively working to diversify its manufacturing base beyond China.
In response to previous tariffs and geopolitical tensions, Apple has reportedly sought to increase production in countries like India. Trump’s latest comments indicate growing frustration with this strategy, which he also reportedly raised during a recent trip to the Middle East.
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