United States (US) President Donald Trump has called on Apple to stop expansion on its ongoing manufacturing expansion in India, revealing details of a recent conversation with Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Speaking during an engagement in Qatar on Thursday, May 15, Trump said that he was frustrated with Apple’s move to scale up its operations in India.
According to him, the move could undermine American manufacturing goals.
Trump noted that Cook’s plan to pour an estimated $500 billion into Indian operations was inconsistent with US interests.
“You are very good, and you are coming in with 500 billion USD, but now you are building all over India. I don’t want you building all over India,” he said.
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Why Trump Doesn’t Want Apple in India
Trump said that India may be softening its historically high import duties on American products.
According to him, the move is a result of his administration putting pressure on New Delhi during trade negotiations.
Further, he explained that India offered to scrap the imposed tariffs on the US.
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“It is one of the nations with the highest Tariffs. It is very hard to sell in India. But now they have offered us a deal where they are willing to charge us no Tariff.
“So we will go from the highest tariff to telling us that there is no tariff,” Trump explained.
Trump also referenced Apple’s past expansion in China, stating that his administration had tolerated Cook’s investments in the Chinese market for years, but that tolerance had now worn thin.
“I told Tim that for years we put up with all the plans he put up in China and now we are not interested in him building in India. India can take care of themselves, ” he added.
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