Trump pushes again on Apple, EU for US manufacturing or face tariffs

*Updated to reflect delay on EU tariff to July 9

President Trump took the Friday before Memorial Day to remind Apple and the EU that he really, really wants their products made in the USA.

For Apple, he said on Truth Social, a tariff of 25% must be paid to the US for any iPhone sold in the US that is not manufactured and built in the US.

For the EU, he recommended a tariff of 50% starting June 1, unless the product is built or manufactured in the US.    He added that trade talks with the EU “are going nowhere!”  However, he delayed the rollout to July 9 after a call with the EU Commission president on Sunday. 

Apple stock dropped 3% in pre-market trading on Friday.  On Memorial Day,  European stocks rebounded on the delay. 

Some analysts predict that moving iPhone production to the US would raise the price of an iPhone by 25% and Wedbush analyst Dan Ives has said the estimated cost of a US iPhone would reach $3,500.  Today’s iPhone 16 Pro retails for about $1,000.

Trump’s comments on Apple and the EU indicate increasing pressure the president is placing on companies and countries to move operations to the US.  Trump met with Apple CEO Tim Cook on Tuesday at the White House where Trump reportedly told Cook to stop sending manufacturing to India instead of China where most of its products are made and assembled today.

A big concern of US-based electronics companies is that moving manufacturing to the US will put an even greater demand on the skilled jobs market, already taxed to fill engineering and skilled labor positions.

Trump concluded his Truth Social posts addressing Apple and the EU with the same sign-off: “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

RELATED: Chips are political. Tariff talk makes chips more political.

Editor’s Note: Fierce Electronics is preparing a survey of how tariffs are affecting businesses.  In addition, a panel discussion on June 26 on tariffs and related government impacts on companies will be held at Sensors Converge 2025. Register today to attend with a free Expo hall pass by using the code HAMBLEN at sign-up.