US President Donald Trump on Friday questioned Apple CEO Tim Cook over the company’s plans to “expand elsewhere,” in what appeared to be a hint at the iPhone maker’s expanding operations in India.
Interacting with Cook during a private dinner he hosted for American tech leaders, Trump asked the Apple chief about the company’s global strategy.
“How much money is Apple going to be investing in the United States, because you know, you were really elsewhere and now you are coming back home in a big way,” Trump told Cook.
The conversation took place in the presence of the CEOs of Apple’s Silicon Valley competitors, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
In a video posted on X, the White House shared a snippet from the interaction, where Cook praised Trump and thanked him for “setting the tone” for Apple to grow in America.
“I want to thank you for setting the tone such that we could make a major [$600 billion] investment in the United States… That says a lot about your focus and your leadership and your focus on innovation,” said Cook, who also took a moment to praise US First Lady Melania Trump’s work in education.
Apple doubles down on India plans
In August, Apple assured the Indian government that it has no intention of slowing down its expansion in the country. According to a report by ToI, the company is committing an estimated $2.5 billion to boost iPhone production capacity from over 40 million units annually to about 60 million. Much of the additional output is targeted for export, particularly to the United States.
Highly placed sources told TOI that Apple has “categorically assured the government that it does not intend to slow down expansion plans and investments.”
The company has already begun assembling the soon-to-be-launched iPhone 17 in India.
A government official was quoted as saying, “Company executives have told us that there will be no change in plans when it comes to India investments. The expansion plans will continue as previously envisaged.”
Apple’s growth in India has been supported by its major partners. Taiwanese supplier Foxconn and India’s Tata Group—which acquired Wistron’s factories and a controlling stake in Pegatron’s operations—are both in the midst of large-scale expansions. Officials say Apple values India’s manufacturing environment, pointing to production quality, factory infrastructure and logistics as “among the best in the world.”
Balancing US pressure and Indian opportunity
Trump’s pushback is not new. During a visit to Doha in May, he said: “I had a little problem with Tim Cook... I said to him, my friend, I am treating you very good... but now I hear you are building all over India. I don’t want you building in India.”
Cook, however, has repeatedly underlined India’s importance. In a 31 July earnings call, he revealed that the “majority” of iPhones sold in the U.S. last quarter were made in India. Once the dominant hub for Apple production, China now primarily supplies non-U.S. markets, marking a strategic shift.
India is also emerging as a strong domestic market. In 2024, Apple exported $17 billion worth of iPhones from India while also gaining a double-digit market share in local sales. Cook said revenues in India are witnessing record growth, powered by demand for iPhones.
At the same time, Apple is ramping up its retail footprint. After opening its first two stores in Mumbai and Delhi in 2023, the company launched its third and fourth outlets this week in Bengaluru’s Phoenix Mall of Asia and Pune’s Koregaon Park. By the end of 2025, Apple plans to have six stores in India, including upcoming locations in Mumbai and Noida.
The new stores reflect Apple’s emphasis on local engagement, with design themes inspired by India’s culture—such as the peacock feather motif—and services ranging from “Today at Apple” creative sessions to technical and business support.
Interacting with Cook during a private dinner he hosted for American tech leaders, Trump asked the Apple chief about the company’s global strategy.
“How much money is Apple going to be investing in the United States, because you know, you were really elsewhere and now you are coming back home in a big way,” Trump told Cook.
The conversation took place in the presence of the CEOs of Apple’s Silicon Valley competitors, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
In a video posted on X, the White House shared a snippet from the interaction, where Cook praised Trump and thanked him for “setting the tone” for Apple to grow in America.
“I want to thank you for setting the tone such that we could make a major [$600 billion] investment in the United States… That says a lot about your focus and your leadership and your focus on innovation,” said Cook, who also took a moment to praise US First Lady Melania Trump’s work in education.
.@Apple CEO @tim_cook: "I want to thank you for setting the tone such that we could make a major [$600 billion] investment in the United States... That says a lot about your focus and your leadership and your focus on innovation." pic.twitter.com/289vkiB6vy
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 5, 2025
Apple doubles down on India plans
In August, Apple assured the Indian government that it has no intention of slowing down its expansion in the country. According to a report by ToI, the company is committing an estimated $2.5 billion to boost iPhone production capacity from over 40 million units annually to about 60 million. Much of the additional output is targeted for export, particularly to the United States.
Highly placed sources told TOI that Apple has “categorically assured the government that it does not intend to slow down expansion plans and investments.”
The company has already begun assembling the soon-to-be-launched iPhone 17 in India.
A government official was quoted as saying, “Company executives have told us that there will be no change in plans when it comes to India investments. The expansion plans will continue as previously envisaged.”
Apple’s growth in India has been supported by its major partners. Taiwanese supplier Foxconn and India’s Tata Group—which acquired Wistron’s factories and a controlling stake in Pegatron’s operations—are both in the midst of large-scale expansions. Officials say Apple values India’s manufacturing environment, pointing to production quality, factory infrastructure and logistics as “among the best in the world.”
Balancing US pressure and Indian opportunity
Trump’s pushback is not new. During a visit to Doha in May, he said: “I had a little problem with Tim Cook... I said to him, my friend, I am treating you very good... but now I hear you are building all over India. I don’t want you building in India.”
Cook, however, has repeatedly underlined India’s importance. In a 31 July earnings call, he revealed that the “majority” of iPhones sold in the U.S. last quarter were made in India. Once the dominant hub for Apple production, China now primarily supplies non-U.S. markets, marking a strategic shift.
India is also emerging as a strong domestic market. In 2024, Apple exported $17 billion worth of iPhones from India while also gaining a double-digit market share in local sales. Cook said revenues in India are witnessing record growth, powered by demand for iPhones.
At the same time, Apple is ramping up its retail footprint. After opening its first two stores in Mumbai and Delhi in 2023, the company launched its third and fourth outlets this week in Bengaluru’s Phoenix Mall of Asia and Pune’s Koregaon Park. By the end of 2025, Apple plans to have six stores in India, including upcoming locations in Mumbai and Noida.
The new stores reflect Apple’s emphasis on local engagement, with design themes inspired by India’s culture—such as the peacock feather motif—and services ranging from “Today at Apple” creative sessions to technical and business support.
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