President Donald Trump threatened Friday to impose 25% tariffs on Apple iPhones and Samsung smartphones not manufactured in the United States, escalating his trade war as he demands tech companies move production to America.
Trump said the tariffs would apply to “anybody that makes that product” and could take effect by the end of June.
“I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone’s that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the US.”
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Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump expanded the threat beyond Apple.
“It would be also Samsung and anybody that makes that product,” he said. “Otherwise it wouldn’t be fair.”
The president said he had reached an “understanding” with Apple CEO Tim Cook that iPhone production wouldn’t remain overseas, calling the tariff a response to Apple’s continued foreign manufacturing.
Apple declined to comment. Cook and Trump met Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the situation.
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The threats come as Apple has been shifting iPhone production to India to diversify away from China. Cook said on Apple’s May earnings call that he expected “the majority of iPhones sold in the US will have India as their country of origin.”
Samsung operates smartphone production facilities primarily in Vietnam, India and Brazil, with Vietnam serving as the largest producer of Samsung devices.
Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives called moving iPhone production to the US “a fairy tale that is not feasible,” estimating it would take five to 10 years and cost $30 billion to relocate just 10% of Apple’s supply chain.
Trump also threatened 50% tariffs on European Union goods starting June 1, but postponed that deadline to July 9 following a phone call Sunday with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“She expressed a very strong desire to negotiate,” Trump told reporters in Morristown, New Jersey.
The EU had prepared retaliatory measures affecting roughly $108 billion in US goods.
Trump’s smartphone tariff threats mark a direct targeting of specific consumer products that could raise prices for American buyers. The president has been pressuring companies to increase domestic manufacturing as part of his broader trade strategy.
Apple announced a $500 billion US investment plan including artificial intelligence server production in Houston. The company previously warned that US-made iPhones could be economically unfeasible.
Industry experts say both companies would face significant challenges relocating production quickly. Samsung already produces some home appliances at its South Carolina facility but would need substantial expansion for smartphone manufacturing.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration is negotiating with 18 major trading partners and expects “several” large trade deals by the end of a 90-day pause period in July.
Trump had temporarily eased tariff pressures in April after market volatility and economic concerns, but Friday’s announcements signal a return to aggressive trade tactics.
The president has previously targeted other US companies including Walmart and Amazon over their responses to his trade policies.
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