iPhone Prices to Soar as Trump Criticizes Apple’s Manufacturing in India
Ankit Gupta | May 15, 2025, 23:29 IST
During a press conference in Qatar, Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Apple's increasing production of iPhones in India. He urged Apple CEO Tim Cook to prioritize manufacturing within the United States, stating that products made in India should be sold domestically rather than exported to the U.S. Trump's comments highlight his continued push for domestic manufacturing and job creation.
New Delhi, May 2025 – In a move that could significantly impact Indian consumers and global tech supply chains, former U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Apple to halt its iPhone manufacturing in India. The controversial statement has sparked fears of soaring iPhone prices in India, possibly by as much as 40%, and introduced a new variable into the already complex dynamics of global electronics manufacturing.
Speaking at a press conference in Doha, Trump criticized Apple’s increasing reliance on India for manufacturing. “I had a little problem with Tim Cook,” Trump said, referring to Apple’s CEO. “I don’t want you building in India. If you build in India, sell it in India.”
Trump’s remarks echo his long-standing “America First” agenda, where he has repeatedly advocated for tech giants like Apple to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., even if it means disrupting their global operations. This is the clearest indication yet that Apple’s strategy to shift production away from China and into India could face serious geopolitical headwinds.
India has become a crucial hub for Apple’s manufacturing plans. As of 2025, Apple produces $15-16 billion worth of iPhones annually in India, with plans to double this to $30 billion in the near future. The move was not just strategic to avoid U.S.-China tariffs but also part of Apple’s effort to tap into India’s skilled labor force and cost-effective environment.
According to The Economic Times, if the U.S. imposes fresh tariffs on Chinese imports, India could benefit even further — capturing up to 26% of global iPhone production and creating over 200,000 jobs.
But Trump’s recent outburst has the potential to derail this progress.
Industry analysts predict that iPhone prices in India could rise by up to 40%, especially for premium models like the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which may soon breach the ₹2,00,000 mark.
The cost hike could result from two simultaneous factors:
If Apple pulls back manufacturing from India, production may revert to high-cost regions, triggering global price increases.If the U.S. imposes restrictions on Indian exports, even locally manufactured iPhones could become more expensive due to reduced economies of scale and supply chain fragmentation.Already, Apple Stores across India are reporting a surge in demand as consumers rush to purchase current models before the expected price hikes take effect.
Trump’s comments come at a time when Apple is aggressively pursuing its “China+1” strategy to de-risk from its dependency on Chinese factories. India was emerging as the favored destination, with Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron — Apple’s key suppliers — investing billions in Indian facilities.
But geopolitical narratives are shifting. The U.S. election season is heating up, and Trump’s renewed pressure on global manufacturing could reorient Apple's roadmap.
In effect, this situation puts Apple in a bind:
Keep expanding in India and risk political backlash in the U.S., orRepatriate manufacturing to America and face massive cost escalations.Neither option is ideal — but the fallout will certainly be felt in India.
Apple’s India operations have been a symbol of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” push. If Apple pulls back, it could undermine not only India’s goal of becoming a global tech-manufacturing powerhouse but also affect GDP growth, job creation, and exports.
More than 1 lakh people are currently employed across Apple’s supply chain in India, and plans were underway to deepen these links by localizing component manufacturing, PCB assembly, and chip packaging.
Losing Apple — or even facing reduced investment — would be a setback not just for Apple’s fans but for the broader Indian economy.
If you’re eyeing a new iPhone, especially a Pro model, now might be the time. Prices could spike in the coming months.
If Apple publicly commits to India despite Trump’s remarks, this could stabilize the market temporarily.
If supply chains are disrupted, it may lead to longer delivery times and limited availability for new models.
Trump’s remarks have introduced a wild card into Apple’s India journey. Whether this is a short-term political play or the beginning of a deeper realignment remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that Indian consumers are likely to feel the heat — both in their wallets and in access to new Apple products.
In the global tug-of-war between politics, economics, and technology, the iPhone has once again become more than just a smartphone — it's a geopolitical pawn.
What Did Trump Say?
Donald Trump’s clear message to Apple CEO Tim Cook to 'Make in US'
Speaking at a press conference in Doha, Trump criticized Apple’s increasing reliance on India for manufacturing. “I had a little problem with Tim Cook,” Trump said, referring to Apple’s CEO. “I don’t want you building in India. If you build in India, sell it in India.”
Trump’s remarks echo his long-standing “America First” agenda, where he has repeatedly advocated for tech giants like Apple to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., even if it means disrupting their global operations. This is the clearest indication yet that Apple’s strategy to shift production away from China and into India could face serious geopolitical headwinds.
Why This Matters for India
While the report suggests a price increase is incoming for the newer models
India has become a crucial hub for Apple’s manufacturing plans. As of 2025, Apple produces $15-16 billion worth of iPhones annually in India, with plans to double this to $30 billion in the near future. The move was not just strategic to avoid U.S.-China tariffs but also part of Apple’s effort to tap into India’s skilled labor force and cost-effective environment.
According to The Economic Times, if the U.S. imposes fresh tariffs on Chinese imports, India could benefit even further — capturing up to 26% of global iPhone production and creating over 200,000 jobs.
But Trump’s recent outburst has the potential to derail this progress.
iPhones May Cost Up to ₹2 Lakh
The cost hike could result from two simultaneous factors:
If Apple pulls back manufacturing from India, production may revert to high-cost regions, triggering global price increases.If the U.S. imposes restrictions on Indian exports, even locally manufactured iPhones could become more expensive due to reduced economies of scale and supply chain fragmentation.Already, Apple Stores across India are reporting a surge in demand as consumers rush to purchase current models before the expected price hikes take effect.
A Global Tug-of-War Over Apple’s Supply Chain
President Trump has urged Apple CEO Tim Cook to shift iPhone production back to the United States
Trump’s comments come at a time when Apple is aggressively pursuing its “China+1” strategy to de-risk from its dependency on Chinese factories. India was emerging as the favored destination, with Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron — Apple’s key suppliers — investing billions in Indian facilities.
But geopolitical narratives are shifting. The U.S. election season is heating up, and Trump’s renewed pressure on global manufacturing could reorient Apple's roadmap.
In effect, this situation puts Apple in a bind:
Keep expanding in India and risk political backlash in the U.S., orRepatriate manufacturing to America and face massive cost escalations.Neither option is ideal — but the fallout will certainly be felt in India.
India’s Economic Stakes Are High
More than 1 lakh people are currently employed across Apple’s supply chain in India, and plans were underway to deepen these links by localizing component manufacturing, PCB assembly, and chip packaging.
Losing Apple — or even facing reduced investment — would be a setback not just for Apple’s fans but for the broader Indian economy.
What Should Consumers Do Now?
1. Buy Now if You’re Planning to Upgrade
2. Watch Apple’s India Policy Closely
3. Expect Scarcity and Delays
A Tech Storm Brewing
In the global tug-of-war between politics, economics, and technology, the iPhone has once again become more than just a smartphone — it's a geopolitical pawn.