Trump turns attention to Samsung after criticizing Apple’s India shift

Trump’s tariff threats to major smartphone manufacturers

Apple is not the only tech giant under scrutiny from US President Donald Trump. The president has also issued a warning to Samsung, signaling that the South Korean smartphone maker could face a 25% import tax if it does not relocate its manufacturing operations to the United States.

In remarks made at the White House, Trump stated that the proposed tariff would apply to all phone manufacturers selling in the US market. “It would be more. It would also be Samsung and anybody who makes that product. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair… when they build their plant here, there is no tariff,” he told reporters.

Pressure mounts on Apple over overseas iPhone production

Trump has intensified pressure on Apple to bring its manufacturing back to the United States. He reiterated his stance in a Truth Social post, emphasizing that iPhones sold in America should be made domestically.

“I have long ago informed Apple CEO Tim Cook that I expect the iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America to be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else. If that is not the case, a tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the US,” Trump wrote.

Following his post, Apple’s shares dropped by 2.6%, erasing approximately $70 billion in market value.

India and China in the spotlight for Apple’s supply chain

Last week, Trump criticized Apple’s decision to manufacture iPhones intended for the US market in India. This move comes as part of Apple’s broader strategy to diversify production away from China amid ongoing trade tensions.

Analysts estimate that nearly 90% of Apple’s smartphones are assembled in China. However, Apple CEO Tim Cook recently said that a significant portion of iPhones sold in the United States during the June quarter would be made in India.

Samsung’s Global Manufacturing Strategy May Limit Impact

Unlike Apple, Samsung does not rely on China for its smartphone manufacturing. The company shut down its last Chinese factory in 2019 and now operates major production hubs in India, South Korea, Vietnam, and Brazil.

While Samsung may face similar tariff threats, its diversified manufacturing footprint could provide a buffer against US trade policy shifts.

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