Trump Pushes for US Manufacturing, Threatens Tariffs on Imported iPhones
Trump Advocates for Domestic Production
In Washington DC, President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to encouraging manufacturers to produce goods within the United States. His comments came on Friday during the signing of several significant executive orders, one of which focuses on advancing nuclear energy.
Caution to Apple Regarding Indian Manufacturing
Discussing the production of iPhones in the US, Trump stated, "It would be more, it would also be Samsung and anybody that makes that product, otherwise it wouldn’t be fair. So anybody that makes that product." He emphasized that if manufacturing occurs domestically, there would be no tariffs imposed.
Warning to Apple on Manufacturing Plans
"When they build their plant here, there’s no tariff. So they’re building plants here but I had an understanding with him (Tim Cook) that he wouldn’t be doing this. He said he’s going to India to build plants. I said, that’s okay to go to India, but you’re not going to sell into here without tariffs. And that’s the way it is."
Trump Highlights Other Manufacturers
Trump expressed confidence that the increasing automation in manufacturing would prevent significant price hikes for American consumers. He remarked, "A lot of it’s so computerized now. These plants are amazing if you look at them, but they can do that. Apple’s coming in with 500 billion dollars. So are the chip companies coming in. The biggest 500 billion, 200 billion, 250 billion dollars they’re spending. But we’re talking about the iPhone now. And you know, the iPhone, if they’re to sell it in America, I want it to be built in the United States. They’re able to do that."
25% Tariff Warning for Non-Domestic Apple Devices
Earlier on Friday, Trump announced that Apple would incur a 25% import tariff if its mobile devices sold in the US are not manufactured domestically. In a post on his social media platform, he stated, "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 Critiques Harvard and Foreign Student Enrollment
In his remarks regarding Harvard University, Trump criticized the institution for its handling of international students, stating, "Billions of dollars have been paid to Harvard. How ridiculous is that?… And they have USD 52 billion as an endowment… Harvard’s going to have to change its ways." The White House previously indicated that enrolling foreign students is a privilege, not a right, and accused Harvard of fostering anti-American sentiments.
Executive Orders on Energy and Science Reform
During the signing of the executive orders, the White House announced that Trump took steps to "unleash nuclear energy in the U.S. as part of the administration’s effort to secure the energy future of America and unleash American energy dominance." Additionally, another executive order was signed to implement Gold Standard Science to restore public trust in the national science enterprise.