'Apple would be more concerned about...': Official on Trump's remarks to Tim Cook
India has downplayed US President Donald Trump's recent remarks urging Apple to shift iPhone production from India to the United States, with a senior government official stating that India has become a 'significant mobile manufacturing hub' and continues to attract global players based on its growing competitiveness. The official added that Apple would be more concerned about where they would find manufacturing competitiveness.advertisement"No comments," the official said when asked specifically about Trump's statement.The official, however, pointed out, "We have become a very consistent player in the mobile market via Make in India. India is a significant mobile manufacturing hub today. If companies recognise the value of manufacturing in India, they will continue to grow on that path."
The official added that companies like Apple base their decisions on global competitiveness and not on political rhetoric. "Companies go by their own competitiveness vis-a-vis other companies. Apple would be more concerned about where they would find manufacturing competitiveness," the official said.TRUMP'S REMARK SPARKS BACKCHANNEL TALKSTrump, while speaking in Doha earlier this week, said he told Apple CEO Tim Cook that he was unhappy with Apple building iPhones in India."Tim, you're my friend But now I hear you're building all over India. I don't want you building in India if you want to take care of India," Trump said, referring to his interaction with Cook.advertisementHe also claimed Apple would increase production in the US as a result of their conversation, though he offered no further details.Apple has yet to comment publicly, but Indian officials have reportedly spoken to Apple executives following Trump's remarks. According to a report by news agency PTI, the company assured the government that its manufacturing and investment plans in India remain unchanged and that India continues to be a key part of its global supply chain.INDIA'S SMARTPHONE PRODUCTION FOOTPRINTIndia has seen a sharp rise in mobile manufacturing, especially through global giants like Apple. Around 40 million iPhones—roughly 15% of Apple's annual production—are now assembled in India, primarily by Taiwanese firms Foxconn and Pegatron. Tata Electronics, which acquired Pegatron's India operations, is also expanding capacity.Between April 2024 and March 2025, Apple assembled iPhones worth an estimated $22 billion in India, marking a 60% rise over the previous year, according to PTI. The majority of these devices are exported, mainly to the United States. In March alone, India exported over 3 million iPhones to the US, accounting for nearly 98% of Apple's monthly shipments abroad, per a report by S&P Global Market Intelligence.Foxconn has also begun manufacturing AirPods in Telangana for exports, further strengthening India's role in Apple's global supply chain.APPLE ECOSYSTEM IN INDIAadvertisementThe Apple ecosystem has created around two lakh jobs in India across various suppliers and vendors, PTI reported. The country's growing pool of skilled labour, along with a well-developed supply chain for precision electronics, has helped establish India as a major base for mobile phone assembly."We have shown to the world that we are highly competitive in labour-intensive, sophisticated assembly work. We have built an ecosystem suited for high-tech manufacturing," an official told PTI.India's smartphone exports are on a steady rise, with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announcing last month that iPhones worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore were exported from the country in FY25.INDIA-US TRADE TIESIndia and the US enjoy strong trade ties, with bilateral trade in 2024 amounting to $129 billion. However, India maintains a trade surplus of over $45 billion with the US, which has been a bone of contention with the present Trump administration.Amid ongoing trade negotiations, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is set to lead a delegation to the US starting May 16 to further talks on bilateral trade and investment.(With inputs from PTI, Reuters)
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