Trump Advises Apple Against India Investment Like Apple
The trade negotiations between the US and India are expected to continue, with India seeking to increase its exports to the US and reduce its trade surplus. The outcome of these negotiations could have a significant impact on the trade relationship between the two countries, as well as on Apple's plans to invest in India.
US President Donald Trump has expressed his dissatisfaction with Apple's plans to invest in India, stating that he had told Apple's CEO Tim Cook that he doesn't want the company to build its products in India, despite the country's efforts to become a smartphone manufacturing hub.
Trump mentioned that he had a "little problem" with Cook, saying that he had treated Apple well, investing $500 billion in the US, but now wants to build products in India. The US President expressed that he doesn't want Apple to build in India, adding that India can take care of itself and that he wants Apple to build its products in the US. Apple has been increasing production in India to reduce its reliance on China and aims to make around 25% of its global iPhones in the country in the next few years.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promoted India as a smartphone manufacturing hub, and Apple's suppliers have increased production in the country. The US is India's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade totaling $129bn in 2024, and India runs a $45.7bn trade surplus with the US. India's trade minister Piyush Goyal is set to lead a trade delegation to the US to advance trade negotiations, with India aiming to clinch a deal with the US within a 90-day pause on tariff hikes.
The proposed trade deal would see India reduce duties to zero on 60% of tariff lines and offer preferential access to nearly 90% of US imports. Trump also mentioned that India has offered a trade deal with the US, proposing "no tariffs" for American goods, which could potentially benefit both countries and boost their trade relationship.