US President Donald Trump criticized Apple’s decision to increase iPhone production in India.

Speaking at a business summit in Doha, he urged Apple CEO Tim Cook to focus on manufacturing in the United States instead.

Trump highlighted the high tariffs imposed by India and said he asked Cook to prioritize US production.

Trump noted that Apple would increase its manufacturing efforts in the US but did not provide specific details or a timeline.

Apple has been expanding its global production, including investments in India to diversify its supply chain and reduce reliance on China. Earlier this year, Apple announced plans to enhance US manufacturing by hiring 20,000 workers and opening new facilities.

🔗 Source: TechCrunch

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Apple faces complex manufacturing realities that constrain reshoring

Apple’s vast manufacturing footprint in Asia is not easily transferable to the US despite political pressure.

The scale of Apple’s existing operations is staggering. Foxconn’s Zhengzhou facility alone can produce approximately 500,000 iPhones daily with up to 350,000 workers earning around $1.90 per hour 1.

This manufacturing ecosystem represents decades of optimization, with each iPhone requiring components from over 200 global suppliers and involving around 400 assembly steps 1.

The economic gap remains substantial. iPhones assembled in China benefit from a workforce earning a fraction of US wages, while also leveraging a massive supplier network that provides specialized components with rapid turnaround times.

Apple’s carefully cultivated “Quantum Strategy,” balancing operational efficiency with innovation, has helped it achieve net margins above 20%, a position that could be threatened by significant manufacturing shifts driven by politics rather than business fundamentals 2.

2️⃣ Diversification beyond China represents a calculated strategic shift

Apple’s India expansion is part of a deliberate strategy to reduce concentration risks, not simply a response to recent political pressure.

The company has been methodically transforming its supply chain, having already reduced its supplier count to enhance its bargaining power and manufacturing efficiency 2.

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