Trump says he confronted Apple’s Tim Cook over iPhone production


“India can take care of themselves, they are doing very well, we want you to build here,'” Trump says he told the businessman.

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WASHINGTON − President Donald Trump said he chided Apple CEO Tim Cook for moving iPhone production from China to India rather than the United States.

“I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday,” Trump said during a trip to Qatar.

Calling him a friend, Trump said he told Cook, “‘I treated you very good…But now I hear you’re building all over India.'”

“‘We are not interested in you building in India, India can take care of themselves, they are doing very well, we want you to build here,'” Trump says he told the businessman.

Apple has been moving production of iPhones sold in the United States from China to India and said it would speed up the process as it seeks to avoid the high tariffs Trump’s administration put on Beijing.

A steep 145% tariff on imports from China was temporarily lowered to 30% this week as the two nations attempt to work out a longer term deal.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Contributing: Reuters, Jessica Guynn

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