Apple’s ₹79,000 Crore India Sales Spark Donald Trump’s Anger: Tim Cook Questioned Amid US-India Tensions

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by

Himanshu
in ,

The growing economic partnership between India and global tech giants has once again become a flashpoint in international politics. Recently, Apple recorded massive sales worth ₹79,000 crore (approximately $9.5 billion) in India, a record-breaking achievement for the iPhone maker in one of the fastest-growing smartphone markets in the world. However, the news has not gone down well with former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has openly expressed his frustration over Apple’s growing dependence on India.

Trump reportedly questioned Apple CEO Tim Cook, asking: “How much will you sell in the U.S. if you keep investing in India?” This remark signals Trump’s concerns about American companies shifting focus and production to India while potentially reducing U.S. manufacturing dominance.

Apple’s Record-Breaking Sales in India

Apple has been aggressively expanding in India by:

  • Opening flagship Apple Stores in Mumbai and Delhi.
  • Scaling up iPhone manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, with Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron leading the production drive.
  • Offering competitive pricing strategies through financing, trade-in schemes, and festive season discounts.
MetricValue
Apple’s India Sales FY 2024-25₹79,000 crore (~$9.5 billion)
Growth YoY42% increase compared to last year
Share in Premium SegmentOver 50%
iPhones Made in India~25% of total iPhones shipped globally

Why Trump Is Angry

Donald Trump has always championed the “America First” policy, encouraging U.S. companies to bring back manufacturing jobs. His concern stems from:

  1. Loss of U.S. Jobs – As Apple shifts more production to India, fewer high-tech manufacturing jobs are created in America.
  2. Trade Balance Pressure – High Apple sales in India highlight U.S. firms’ focus abroad, which Trump believes weakens U.S. economic strength.
  3. China-India Shift – While Trump welcomed Apple’s move away from China, he did not expect India to become such a major winner.
  4. Election Angle – With the U.S. elections approaching, Trump is using Apple’s India story to rally support from American workers.

India’s Growing Tech Importance

India is no longer just a market—it is becoming Apple’s manufacturing and export hub.

  • India’s smartphone exports crossed $15 billion in FY 2025, with Apple contributing nearly half of this number.
  • Government incentives under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme are attracting Apple’s suppliers to set up factories in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
  • India is emerging as a China-plus-one strategy destination, giving it an edge in global supply chains.

What This Means for India and the U.S.

  • For India: Apple’s success strengthens India’s image as a global tech hub, boosts exports, and creates thousands of jobs.
  • For the U.S.: Political concerns over job losses and declining domestic manufacturing may push leaders to pressure Apple to balance its global strategy.
  • For Apple: India offers both a vast consumer base and a competitive production environment, making it critical for long-term growth.

Conclusion

Apple’s ₹79,000 crore sales in India are a milestone for both the company and the Indian economy. However, Donald Trump’s sharp remarks underline the geopolitical tension between domestic job creation in the U.S. and globalization strategies of multinational corporations.

As India cements its position in Apple’s future, the U.S. political debate around offshoring and global supply chains is only set to intensify.