Donald Trump admits he has a ‘problem’ with Tim Cook over tariff feud
President Trump’s relationship with Apple CEO Tim Cook may be strained due to disagreements over manufacturing locations. While Cook has maintained a friendly rapport with Trump, unlike other tech leaders, tensions arose after Apple announced plans to shift iPhone production to India. Trump expressed disapproval during his Middle East trip, stating, *”I don’t want you building in India,”* despite Apple’s pledge to invest $500 billion in the U.S. economy. Cook had previously warned that Trump’s tariffs could raise iPhone prices, as Apple relies heavily on Chinese manufacturing.
The conflict deepened when Cook suggested most U.S.-sold iPhones would soon originate from India. Trump insisted production should prioritize the U.S., though he allowed limited Indian manufacturing for local demand. Meanwhile, Apple supplier Foxconn is building a $433 million semiconductor plant in India, complicating Trump’s push to bring jobs back to America. With Apple’s supply chain deeply tied to Asia, a swift transition remains unlikely, leaving both sides at odds over trade and tariffs.
