Former President Donald Trump has reignited his push for American manufacturing dominance, calling on Apple to shift iPhone production from India back to the United States. In recent remarks, Trump criticized the tech giant’s reliance on overseas factories, arguing that “every iPhone should bear the label ‘Made in America.’” His comments, reported by Investors.com, come amid Apple’s expanding footprint in India, where it now produces roughly 14% of its iPhones, up from just 1% in 2021.
Apple, however, has emphasized its commitment to U.S. investment. In a 2025 press release, the company announced plans to spend over $500 billion domestically over four years, including investments in data centers, retail, and R&D. Yet critics note this figure doesn’t explicitly prioritize iPhone assembly, a labor-intensive process that has long been outsourced to Asia.
A History of Political Posturing
Trump’s latest critique echoes his tenure in office, when he frequently touted manufacturing wins—sometimes prematurely. In 2019, he celebrated the opening of a Mac Pro factory in Texas, only for reports by The Washington Post to reveal the facility had operated since 2013. While Apple did expand the site, the episode underscored the gap between political rhetoric and on-the-ground realities.
Costs and Complications of Reshoring
Relocating iPhone production to the U.S. would face significant hurdles. A TechAsia report estimates manufacturing costs could surge by 90% due to higher wages, regulatory expenses, and supply chain gaps. iPhones assembled in the U.S. might also lose price competitiveness against rivals like Samsung, a point Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly raised during Trump’s presidency. According to Axios, Cook warned that tariffs on Chinese imports could hand Samsung an advantage, given its smaller U.S. market presence.
Balancing Global Realities
While Trump frames reshoring as a win for American jobs, analysts argue Apple’s global supply chain is too entrenched to unwind. India, for instance, offers lower labor costs and access to a booming consumer market. Still, Apple’s U.S. investments signal an attempt to appease political pressures without overhauling its production playbook.
As the 2024 election looms, Trump’s renewed focus on Apple underscores the enduring tension between economic nationalism and corporate globalization. Whether iPhones will ever be “Made in America” remains uncertain—but the debate is far from over.
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