U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his aggressive “America First” economic stance, warning Apple and other device manufacturers that they must build their products within the United States or face import tariffs of at least 25%.
Trump made the remarks on Friday (U.S. local time) while signing a series of executive orders, including one promoting nuclear energy development and another on scientific integrity.
Speaking to reporters, Trump doubled down on his expectation that iPhones sold in the U.S. be produced domestically, not in countries like India.
“If they’re to sell it in America, I want it to be built in the United States… When they build their plant here, there’s no tariff.”
He referred to a prior understanding with Apple CEO Tim Cook, stating:
“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.”
On his Truth Social platform, Trump posted:
“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. If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S.”
Despite concerns about rising production costs, Trump expressed confidence that automation and advanced technologies would keep prices in check:
“A lot of it’s so computerized now… These plants are amazing… Apple’s coming in with $500 billion, so are the chip companies.”
On Harvard and International Students
Trump also addressed his administration’s contentious decision to bar Harvard University from enrolling new international students, criticizing the elite institution for harboring what he called “anti-American, anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist agitators.”
“Billions of dollars have been paid to Harvard. How ridiculous is that? And they have $52 billion as an endowment… Harvard’s going to have to change its ways,” he said.
The White House issued a statement saying:
“Enrolling foreign students is a privilege, not a right.”
Tensions have escalated between the Trump administration and Harvard, with the administration demanding sweeping reforms to the university’s hiring and programming to address what it called “racist DEI practices” and alleged inaction over campus antisemitism during protests linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
New Executive Orders: Nuclear Energy & Scientific Trust
As part of his broader policy push, Trump also signed an executive order to “unleash nuclear energy” in the U.S., emphasizing energy independence and dominance.
A separate order titled “Gold Standard Science” aims to rebuild public trust in national science, according to the White House, reinforcing the administration’s stance on restoring credibility to scientific institutions.
These developments mark a dramatic series of moves by Trump as his administration targets corporate offshoring, elite academic institutions, and energy reform ahead of the upcoming election season.