After 25% tariff threat to Apple, Donald Trump targets Samsung: ‘Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair’ | World News

Hours after announcing that Apple would have to pay 25 per cent tariff if it sold iPhones that are built in India or anywhere in the US, President Donald Trump said the proposed tariff would apply broadly — including Samsung or any other phone manufacturer that makes phones outside of the US.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said: “It would be more. It would be also Samsung and anybody that makes that product. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair. When they build their plant here, there is no tariff.”

VIDEO | Washington, DC: US President Donald Trump (@realDonaldTrump) announced 25 per cent tariffs for iPhones manufactured outside US.
He said, ” It would be more. It would also be Samsung and anybody that makes that product. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair… When they build… pic.twitter.com/1j5CN6WSEl
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 24, 2025
Earlier, Trump said on social media that he had already informed Apple CEO Tim Cook: “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.”
He added: “If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid Apple to the US.”
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‘It is okay to go to India’
In his remarks at the Oval Office, Trump said ‘it is ok’ for Apple to go to India to build its plants, but the tech company will not be able to sell its products in America without tariffs.
“…But I had an understanding with 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 said.
“We’re talking about the iPhone. If they’re going to sell it in America, I want it to be built in the United States,” he said.
Last month, Trump spooked Apple investors announcing a wave of steep tariffs on Chinese goods — including a 145 per cent hike that affected electronics, as most iPhones are currently assembled in China. However, the adminration later announced exemptions for smartphones and computers.Story continues below this ad
Shortly after, reports emerged that Apple was planning to move all iPhone assembly for the US market to India in a bid to shield itself from the fallout of Trump’s intensifying trade war with China.
However, as per Reuters, Trump was reportedly upset about Apple’s reported plans to shift more iPhone production from China to India.
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