Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on Apple, Targets Samsung and Other Tech Giants

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited his long-standing push for American-made smartphones, threatening to impose a 25% tariff on Apple if the company continues to manufacture iPhones abroad. The threat extends beyond Apple, with Trump suggesting other major phone makers like Samsung could face similar penalties.

Taking to his Truth Social platform on Friday, Trump wrote: “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States to be manufactured and built in the United States – not India, or anyplace else. If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S.”

Later speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump clarified that the tariff would not be limited to Apple. “It would be also Samsung and anybody that makes that product,” he said. “Otherwise it wouldn’t be fair.”

The comments come amid growing scrutiny of Apple’s shift in production to India. CEO Tim Cook recently revealed that the majority of iPhones sold in the U.S. could soon be made in India, citing Apple’s efforts to diversify its manufacturing base beyond China. Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the move during a trip to the Middle East last week, telling an audience in Qatar he confronted Cook about the issue.

Trump’s remarks have reignited debate about the feasibility of reshoring Apple’s complex manufacturing operations. Apple has long argued that the U.S. lacks the skilled labor force and industrial ecosystem required to build iPhones at scale – a sentiment echoed by Cook and the late Steve Jobs in past interviews. Analysts estimate that building iPhones domestically would be both logistically challenging and financially burdensome, potentially pushing the retail price of the devices to over $3,000.

Dan Ives, a tech analyst at Wedbush Securities, called the idea of relocating iPhone production to the U.S. a “fairy tale,” estimating it would take up to a decade and billions of dollars to shift even a portion of Apple’s supply chain stateside.

If enacted, a 25% tariff could push Apple to raise prices for American consumers. Gene Munster of Deepwater Asset Management suggested that while Apple may absorb smaller tariff costs, anything above 30% would likely be passed on to buyers.

Meanwhile, Apple has made moves to bolster its U.S. presence. Earlier this year, the company announced a $500 billion domestic investment plan, which includes expanding data center capacity, opening new facilities, and producing some components and Apple TV+ content within the country.

While Samsung doesn’t rely on China for its smartphone production, it too could be affected by Trump’s proposed policy. The South Korean tech giant has shifted much of its manufacturing to countries like Vietnam, India, and Brazil after exiting China in 2019.

Trump’s renewed focus on American manufacturing echoes his broader economic stance, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noting on Fox News that the goal is to secure the U.S. semiconductor supply chain and reduce dependence on foreign production.

As the 2024 election season ramps up, Trump’s tariff threats are likely to stir further debate over global supply chains, trade policy, and the future of American manufacturing in the tech industry.