Trump threatens new tariffs on EU, Apple & Samsung

President Trump on Friday expanded his tariff threat against Apple to include Samsung and other smartphone companies as he pushes for the device-makers to move manufacturing to the U.S. Trump's latest statements come just days after he expressed similar concerns during a visit to Doha, Qatar. Addressing business leaders, he revealed a tense exchange with Apple CEO Tim Cook. Trump also tells EU to move factories to US or face 50% tariffs in another warning from June1.

Trump tells EU to move factories to US or face 50% tariffs in another warning

‘I’m NOT looking for a deal’

Can the EU survive Trump’s tariffs? https://t.co/CBHk5JyF33 pic.twitter.com/PNfVrmoRxE

— RT (@RT_com) May 23, 2025

Apple has significantly ramped up its manufacturing operations in India, with CEO Tim Cook confirming during the company’s Q2 2025 earnings call that a majority of iPhones sold in the U.S. this June quarter will be made in India. “For the June quarter, we do expect the majority of iPhones sold in the U.S. will have India as their country of origin,” Cook said, adding that Vietnam would produce most of Apple’s other products such as iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and AirPods.
Analysts see Trump’s statements as an attempt to revive his administration’s push for American manufacturing. Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint Research, called it a “familiar Trump tactic” aimed at pressuring Apple to localize production. “He wants Apple to build a supply chain in the U.S., which is not going to happen overnight. Making in the U.S. will also be much more expensive than assembling iPhones in India,” Pathak said. 
Neil Shah, Vice President at Counterpoint, noted that Apple’s India manufacturing base is becoming increasingly robust.“India has enough capacity to potentially meet all U.S. iPhone demand in the future, but the ecosystem needs to be ramped up,” Shah said. “We expect made-in-India iPhones to account for 25%–30% of global iPhone shipments in 2025, up from 18% in 2024.”

(Business Correspondent)