Hajra Naz
DOHA— During a visit to the Gulf, former U.S. President Donald Trump said he asked Apple CEO Tim Cook to stop making products in India and start building more in the United States.
Trump said.
“I had a little issue with Tim Cook, “I told him we’ve supported Apple for years, even when they built factories in China. But now, we want them to build here in the U.S., not in India.”
In response, Apple announced that it would boost U.S. production, particularly in light of recent U.S. taxes on Chinese imports.
The United States and China decided to put their trade war on hold for ninety days earlier this week. This helped ease market concerns, but tensions remain.
Before that deal, Cook said Apple couldn’t fully predict how tariffs would affect them. He stated in May that the majority of iPhones sold were in the United States. would soon be made in India. That was before the full impact of the 145% tariffs on Chinese goods became clear.
Read More: Trump Claims India Offered to Drop Tariffs on U.S. Goods
Although some high-end tech like iPhones and laptops are temporarily exempt from the tariffs, not all Apple parts are spared. Even while the harm was minimal earlier in the year, Cook estimated that Apple could lose about $900 million this quarter as a result of the additional tariffs.
India, also facing higher U.S. tariffs, especially on steel and aluminum, has warned it may respond with its trade measures.
India’s Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, said,
Talks with the U.S. are ongoing, and any trade deal should benefit both sides.
Despite the tensions, Apple announced in February it would invest over $500 billion in the U.S. over four years and plans to hire 20,000 workers.
Trump said in Qatar.
“They’re already in for $500 billion,” and now they’re going to produce even more here. That’s great news.”
