Apple vs. the US government on iPhone production: "Tim Cook just doesn't do it"
So far, Apple has made no attempt to bring the production of smartphones back home. The Trump administration continues to exert pressure.
Apple CEO Tim Cook with US President Donald Trump during his first presidency.
(Image: Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)
The US government continues to try to persuade Apple's management to set up iPhone production in the country. So far, however, success has been moderate. Peter Navarro, Senior White House Advisor for Trade and Manufacturing, has now directly criticized Apple CEO Tim Cook. In an interview with the US stock market channel CNBC, he said that even during the first Trump administration (until 2021), the Apple boss was "constantly asking for more time to move his factories out of China".
Silicon Valley soap opera reshoring
The conflict over Apple's relocation of production is probably "the longest-running soap opera" in Silicon Valley. "My problem is that Tim Cook never takes steps to actually do it." There are "new advanced manufacturing processes" and a lot is also happening in terms of AI, says Navarro. Accordingly, it is inconceivable to him that Tim Cook could not produce his iPhones "in this country". However, Apple is resisting attempts to reshore to its home country.
Apple is indeed taking steps to withdraw its factories from China – or to build up more capacity outside the People's Republic. However, this is not happening in the USA, but in India or Vietnam. President Trump has openly criticized this and recently significantly increased tariffs on goods from Vietnam. Apple itself has not commented on the relocation of iPhone production.
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Apple produced in the USA until Cook arrived
After Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, the company still had several factories in the USA. However, these were gradually abandoned, first sold to manufacturers and then closed completely. They were replaced by a multi-billion-dollar production buildup in China, which Tim Cook in particular was behind. His philosophy was to keep as little inventory as possible and instead place it with manufacturers such as Foxconn. The strategy is now also being continued in India.
Apple had also set up factories in Texas for expensive products such as the Mac Pro, which manufacturers started up for the company. However, compared to the gigantic iPhone production, this is just a drop in the ocean. Economists believe it is almost impossible to replicate the Chinese supply chain in the USA without making prices much more expensive. However, Apple does not see any need at present. It is more likely that the company will pay the import duties imposed by the Trump administration, possibly offset by price increases.
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