Trump threatens to impose 25% duties on iPhones manufactured outside the US
By ForGeeks Ex-US president Donald Trump has hit out at Apple once again. This time he has demanded that iPhone production be moved to the United States, threatening a 25 percent duty on devices made overseas.
And this time he’s demanded that Apple move iPhone production to the United States, threatening a 25 percent duty on devices made overseas.
In a Friday post on the Truth Social platform, Trump said he made it clear to Apple CEO Tim Cook long ago: iPhones sold in the U.S. must be made domestically. Otherwise, he said, a tariff of at least 25% would be imposed on the company.
The threat comes amid an announcement by Foxconn – Apple’s key manufacturing partner – to invest $1.5 billion to grow its business in India. Apple is already aggressively expanding production outside China, responding to the fallout from trade wars dating back to Trump’s first term in office.
Apple is already aggressively expanding production outside China, responding to the fallout from trade wars dating back to Trump’s first term.
Earlier in May, Tim Cook said on a reported investor call that the majority of iPhones sold in the U.S. will soon be of Indian origin. Such a move allows Apple to diversify its manufacturing risks and reduce its dependence on China.
The move allows Apple to diversify its manufacturing risks and reduce its dependence on China.
CNN notes that Trump expressed his displeasure with Apple’s move to India as early as last week while on a visit to the Middle East. He later held a meeting with Tim Cook on Tuesday, though details of the conversation remained unknown.
CNN notes that Trump expressed his displeasure with Apple’s move to India while on a visit to the Middle East.
Trump is once again using tariffs as a means to pressure large corporations. He also recently attacked Walmart, demanding that the retailer “absorb the duties itself” rather than passing them on to consumers. This trend could be a harbinger of tougher rhetoric ahead of the new election and renewed discussions about US manufacturing policy.
The story Trump threatens to impose 25% duties on iPhones made outside the U.S. was first published on ITZine.ru.
