Out Of China: Most iPhones for US Now Made in India, Says Apple CEO Tim Cook

In a major supply chain shift, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed that the majority of iPhones sold in the United States are now manufactured in India. While China focuses on non-US markets, Vietnam leads production of MacBooks and iPads. Cook also flagged a looming $1.1 billion tariff burden amid policy uncertainty.

This shift comes amid mounting geopolitical tensions and US policy scrutiny of China-dependent supply chains.

In a milestone for India’s electronics manufacturing sector, Apple CEO Tim Cook has revealed that most iPhones sold in the United States during the past quarter were assembled in India. Speaking after Apple’s quarterly earnings call, Cook’s remarks confirmed a major realignment in the company’s global supply chain strategy, reported The Times of India.
“There hasn’t been a change to that, which is—the vast majority of the iPhones sold in the US, or the majority, I should say—have a country of origin of India,” Cook told analysts, underscoring how India is now a key hub for Apple’s domestic US supply.
While India takes the lead in iPhone production for the American market, Cook clarified that Vietnam now serves as the primary production centre for MacBooks, iPads, and Apple Watches. China, once the dominant manufacturing base for nearly all Apple products, continues to produce for non-US markets.

This shift comes amid mounting geopolitical tensions and US policy scrutiny of China-dependent supply chains. It also reflects Apple’s growing ambitions in India—not just as a manufacturing base, but as a rapidly expanding consumer market.
Cook said the company posted record revenues in more than two dozen countries, including India, Canada, the US, Western Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America, during the June quarter. “We saw an acceleration of growth… and had June quarter revenue records in India and South Asia,” he added.
India is one of Apple’s fastest-growing markets, and the company plans to deepen its retail presence to capitalise on strong iPhone sales. iPhone sales posted double-digit growth in India, Brazil, and the Middle East, Cook noted.

Trump Displeased

However, not everyone is pleased with Apple’s strategic pivot to India. Former US President Donald Trump had criticised the move during a visit to Doha earlier this year. “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,” Trump said, expressing concern over domestic job losses.

$1.1 Billion Tariff Hit

Despite smartphones being exempt from the new 25 per cent US tariffs on Indian goods announced earlier this week, Apple is bracing for a sharp cost spike due to tariffs on other product categories. Cook stated, “For the June quarter, we incurred approximately $800 million of tariff-related costs. For the September quarter, we estimate the impact to add about $1.1 billion to our costs.” He added that the estimate could change depending on evolving trade policies.

Exit mobile version