Former US President Donald Trump's latest trade remarks have thrown a fresh spotlight on Apple and Samsung, warning that both companies could face a 25% import tariff if they do not manufacture phones on American soil.
In comments made at the White House and later on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump extended his long-standing pressure on Apple to now include Samsung, a major rival in the global smartphone market.
“It would be more. It would also be Samsung and anybody that makes that product. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair,” Trump said, adding that companies could avoid tariffs by building manufacturing plants in the US.
He further reiterated:
“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… A tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple.”
Market Reaction & Impact on Apple
Following Trump’s post, Apple’s shares fell by 2.6%, resulting in a market cap loss of approximately $70 billion. The timing of this statement is particularly significant, as Apple is aggressively shifting its manufacturing footprint to India, especially in light of the US–China trade tensions.
According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, a majority of iPhones sold in the US during the June quarter will be “Made in India”, signaling a strategic pivot away from China amid mounting geopolitical risks.
How Samsung Is Different
While Trump included Samsung in his threat, the South Korean tech giant has already diversified its production base:
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Vietnam, South Korea, India, and Brazil are Samsung’s primary smartphone manufacturing hubs.
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Samsung shut down its last Chinese plant in 2019, distancing itself from reliance on Beijing.
However, Samsung still exports a large volume of its smartphones to the US, meaning Trump’s proposed tariffs could still affect pricing and supply chains, despite its diversified footprint.
What This Means Going Forward
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If enforced, Trump’s proposed 25% tariff could make iPhones and Samsung phones significantly more expensive in the US, unless they are made domestically.
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For Apple, which still assembles nearly 90% of iPhones in China, the pressure to scale up Indian operations—and possibly explore US-based assembly—will intensify.
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Samsung, while better insulated, may also face margin pressure or be forced to ramp up US assembly to avoid costs.
Trump’s statement also signals a revival of protectionist rhetoric ahead of the 2024 US presidential election, appealing to voters concerned about American manufacturing jobs and trade imbalances.
