With the prospect of iPhones no longer being manufactured in the US, Donald Trump has resorted to Truth Social to threaten tech giant Apple.
It has been tariff after tariff ever since the 47th President took office again in January for a second term.
Walmart has warned of increased pricing in-store, and the ongoing trade has caused many businesses to doubt the policies being made in the Oval Office.
Apple recently acknowledged that President Trump’s ongoing trade war—especially the tariff policies—will significantly affect its bottom line. The tech giant revealed that these tariffs will inflate its second-quarter costs by approximately $900 million. In response, Apple has ramped up efforts to diversify its manufacturing footprint, shifting production of iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches to Vietnam, while relocating most iPhone production for the U.S. market to India.
This strategy stems from Apple’s intent to reduce dependency on China, a move fueled by rising geopolitical and economic pressures. However, Trump has responded with a stark ultimatum. On Truth Social, he reiterated that he had long instructed CEO Tim Cook to ensure iPhones sold in the U.S. are made domestically. “If that is not the case,” Trump warned, “a tariff of at least 25% must be paid.”
Industry experts warn that this standoff could ultimately hurt consumers. Analyst Jacob Bourne pointed to logistical hurdles and rising production costs in India. Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities estimated the next iPhone could cost up to $3,500—nearly triple the current iPhone 16 Pro Max. This tug-of-war between political demands and economic realities could reshape Apple’s pricing, supply chain, and global operations.
