Trump Threatens Apple with 25% Tariff: The iPhone Manufacturing Ultimatum
Introduction
On May 23, 2025, President Donald Trump reignited his trade war rhetoric, this time directly targeting Apple Inc., the world’s most valuable technology company. In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all iPhones sold in the United States unless Apple shifts its manufacturing operations for those devices to American soil. The ultimatum, which comes amid Apple’s ongoing pivot of iPhone assembly from China to India, has sent shockwaves through global markets, rattled Apple’s share price, and reignited debate over the feasibility and consequences of “reshoring” high-tech manufacturing to the U.S.
This report explores the origins and context of Trump’s threat, Apple’s global supply chain and manufacturing strategy, the economic and political implications of such a tariff, reactions from stakeholders, and the broader impact on the U.S. tech sector and global trade relations.
