Trump advisor Peter Navarro blasts Tim Cook for – Business News
White House commerce advisor Peter Navarro sharply criticized Apple CEO Tim Cook on Monday over the company’s ongoing reliance on China for iPhone manufacturing, intensifying stress from the Trump administration for Apple to carry back manufacturing to the United States.
“Going back to the first Trump term, Tim Cook has continually asked for more time in order to move his factories out of China,” Navarro stated during an look on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” on Monday.
“I mean it’s the longest-running soap opera in Silicon Valley.”
White House commerce advisor Peter Navarro sharply criticized Apple CEO Tim Cook on Monday over the company’s ongoing reliance on China for iPhone manufacturing. REUTERS
Navarro stated he struggled to know why Apple hasn’t re-shored its manufacturing and shifted its advanced provide chain back to the US.
“With all these new advanced manufacturing techniques and the way things are moving with AI and things like that, it’s inconceivable to me that Tim Cook could not produce his iPhones elsewhere around the world and in this country,” he stated.
The Post has sought remark from Apple.
Navarro’s remarks observe months of escalating rhetoric from President Trump, who has made Apple a focus of his renewed push for home manufacturing.
Trump has demanded that Apple manufacture all iPhones offered within the US within the nation, threatening to impose a 25% tariff on units made overseas.
“I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones 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 posted in May 2025 on Truth Social.
Apple CEO Tim Cook (proper) is seen with President Trump (left) in 2019. Trump has pressured Cook to re-shore manufacturing of Apple units. AFP by way of Getty Images
“If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the US.”
Apple at present assembles the majority of its iPhones in China, although it has more and more shifted manufacturing to India in an effort to diversify provide chains and sidestep rising prices related to tariffs.
Despite these strikes, analysts and provide chain consultants argue that absolutely relocating iPhone manufacturing to the US could be logistically and economically impractical. Some estimates counsel a domestically manufactured iPhone might price as a lot as $3,500.
During Trump’s first time period, Apple pledged to assemble its $3,000 Mac Pro in Texas, however the company continues to supply only a few units within the US.
In February, Apple stated it will invest $500 billion within the US, together with towards assembling some AI servers.
Trump has threatened to impose further tariffs on Apple merchandise which are made abroad. REUTERS
Trump has made clear that he views Apple’s shift to India as unacceptable. The president stated he communicated this message on to Cook in May.
“You’re my friend. I’ve treated you very well… but now I hear you’re expanding over India. I don’t want you in India. We want you to produce here [in the U.S.],” he stated in feedback directed at Cook.
“India can handle themselves, they are thriving, we want you to manufacture here,” Trump stated.
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The two reportedly met on the White House in May, shortly earlier than Trump issued public threats of tariffs, though no particulars of the assembly had been disclosed.
While Apple has averted public confrontation, its strategy to maneuver some manufacturing to India and Vietnam displays ongoing efforts to diversify. However, the company’s reliance on China stays substantial attributable to a mixture of elements, together with scale, infrastructure, labor and provide chain integration.
China offers Apple with a huge and extremely expert manufacturing workforce. A single Apple provider in China can rent 3,000 staff in a single day — capabilities unmatched elsewhere.
The nation graduates about 600,000 engineers yearly, in comparison with 70,000 within the US, offering Apple the technical expertise needed for its advanced units.
Additionally, China’s manufacturing ecosystem offers the precision, tooling and tightly clustered suppliers that Apple is dependent upon to supply its flagship merchandise. Many parts are manufactured simply miles from ultimate meeting plants, permitting for environment friendly, just-in-time logistics and fast changes to modifications in demand.
Despite rising labor prices in China, the general price of manufacturing stays decrease than within the US attributable to established infrastructure, logistics networks and authorities incentives like subsidies and tax breaks.
