US President Donald Trump has reignited his trade war rhetoric — this time putting Apple in the spotlight. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump declared that any iPhones not made in the United States should be subject to a 25 per cent tariff. His comments explicitly ruled out India, where Apple has been shifting a growing share of its production in response to earlier tariffs on China.
“I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones 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 wrote. “If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25 per cent must be paid by Apple to the US.”
The statement sent ripples through Wall Street. Apple’s shares slipped 2.5 per cent in premarket trading on Friday following the post, weighing down major US stock index futures.
India Rises As Apple’s Manufacturing Hub Amid China Tariff Tensions
Apple has been strategically increasing its manufacturing presence in India, presenting the country as a viable alternative to China amid ongoing trade disputes. The iPhone maker, according to a Reuters report last month, has been accelerating plans to make India a key production base for iPhones destined for the US market.
In fact, Apple noted that a significant portion of iPhones sold in the US during the June quarter would be made in India. However, Trump’s latest warning suggests that even that strategy could face roadblocks if his tariff threat becomes policy.
It’s still unclear whether Trump has the legal authority to impose such a tariff on a specific company, and Apple has yet to comment on the matter.
Europe Faces Even Steeper 50 per cent Tariff Threat
Trump didn’t stop at Apple or India. He also turned his attention to the European Union, accusing the bloc of long-standing unfair trade practices against the US.
In a separate post, the president announced plans to slap a 50 per cent tariff on goods from the EU starting June 1, 2025 — unless those products are manufactured in America.
“The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with,” he wrote. “Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50 per cent Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025.”
Trump’s post cited a wide range of grievances — from VAT taxes and corporate penalties to what he described as “unfair and unjustified lawsuits against American companies.” He claimed these practices have contributed to a $250 billion trade deficit with the EU, calling it “totally unacceptable.”
What’s Next For Apple And Global Trade?
With Trump turning up the heat on both Asia and Europe, US tech firms may find themselves squeezed between shifting political winds and supply chain realities. Apple, which has long relied on global manufacturing partners, now faces renewed uncertainty as election-year trade politics dominate headlines.
For now, markets are watching — and waiting — to see whether these threats materialize into actual policy.
