Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on iPhones Not Made in the U.S., Targeting Apple and CEO Tim Cook

Former President Donald Trump said Friday that Apple must pay a tariff of 25% or more on any iPhones sold in the U.S. that are not manufactured domestically — a direct message to Apple CEO Tim Cook amid growing pressure from the Trump camp to boost U.S.-based production.

“I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones… to be manufactured in the United States, not India or anyplace else,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “If that is not the case, a tariff of at least 25% must be paid.”

Apple’s shares dropped 3% following the announcement. The iPhone is currently assembled primarily in China, though Apple has shifted some manufacturing to India to diversify its supply chain amid global tensions.

According to Wall Street analysts, moving full-scale iPhone production to the U.S. could significantly raise costs. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives estimates a domestically assembled iPhone could cost up to $3,500 — more than triple the current price of the iPhone 16 Pro.

Tariff Threat May Extend to Other Smartphone Makers

Trump later confirmed the tariff plan would apply to other smartphone brands, including Samsung. He said the measure would go into effect at the end of June.

“I had an understanding with Tim that he wouldn’t be doing this,” Trump said Friday. “You’re not going to sell into here without tariffs.”

This is the latest in a string of criticisms from Trump toward Apple. In recent weeks, the former president has stepped up his calls for U.S. companies to return manufacturing stateside. He and Cook reportedly met at the White House earlier this week.

Treasury Signals Policy Shift Toward Precision Manufacturing

Speaking on Fox News, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration is pushing to secure critical supply chains like semiconductors — a major component of Apple products.

“A large part of Apple’s components are in semiconductors. So we would like to have Apple help us make the semiconductor supply chain more secure,” Bessent said.

Apple, which declined to comment on the tariff threat, previously announced a $500 billion investment in U.S. operations, including AI server development in Houston. Still, the company noted $900 million in additional tariff-related costs for the current quarter during its May earnings call.

Legal Path for Tariff Still Unclear

The precise legal basis for implementing the tariff remains uncertain. However, the move marks a significant escalation in Trump’s protectionist stance, especially with tariffs now being proposed on specific consumer electronics.

This isn’t the first time Apple has faced trade pressures under Trump. During his first term, the company navigated threats of a 15% tariff on Chinese imports. Those tariffs were later scaled back after Cook successfully lobbied for exemptions.

Now, as Apple’s market share faces pressure in China and the U.S. revisits aggressive trade tactics, the tech giant finds itself once again caught in the middle.