The Price of “Made in USA”: iPhone Could Cost $3,500 Under Trump’s Plan

The true price of “Made in USA” iPhones could skyrocket to $3,500 under Donald Trump’s proposed plan, which threatens a 25% tariff on devices not manufactured domestically. This stark warning from analysts, coupled with Trump’s initial announcement on Truth Social, caused a significant dip in Apple’s share value. The former president’s push for domestic production comes with a potentially hefty cost for consumers.
Trump explicitly communicated his expectations to Apple CEO Tim Cook, stressing that iPhones sold within the US must be built domestically, not in places like India. This statement comes on the heels of reports that Apple has been diverting some US-bound iPhone production to India to navigate previous US-China trade tensions. Trump’s renewed pressure underscores his unwavering commitment to reshoring jobs.
The proposed tariff scheme extends beyond Apple, encompassing Samsung and any other phone manufacturer that assembles devices outside of the US. Trump made it clear that establishing manufacturing plants within the United States would exempt companies from these tariffs, thereby incentivizing domestic investment. This signals a broad economic strategy to revitalize American industrial capacity.
However, experts in the financial and manufacturing sectors are expressing reservations about the practicality of such a widespread shift. They highlight the vast complexities of transferring large-scale production facilities and securing a flexible workforce, which are currently abundant in countries like China. The projection of a US-made iPhone costing an estimated $3,500 raises serious questions about consumer affordability and market viability.