New Delhi: In a significant shift in global tech manufacturing, India has overtaken China to become the largest exporter of iPhones to the United States, even as former US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Apple over its production strategy.
According to a report by market research firm Omdia, India exported nearly three million iPhones to the US in April, marking a milestone in Apple’s global supply chain. The report also noted that iPhone shipments from China to the US plunged by almost 76%, signaling a major realignment in Apple’s manufacturing base.
“Apple has been preparing for this kind of trade disruption for years. The April spike likely reflects strategic stockpiling ahead of tariff hikes,” said Le Xuan Chiew, Research Manager at Omdia.
This development follows a May 5 report by CyberMedia Research, which revealed that Apple’s iPhone supplies in India surged 25% year-on-year in the March quarter of 2025. Over the last few years, India has grown into a key manufacturing hub for Apple, with increasing investment in local production facilities.
Apple’s global iPhone sales exceed 220 million units annually, with the United States, China, and Europe being its top markets, according to Reuters.
Trump’s Tariff Warning to Apple
The surge in exports comes amid sharp comments from former President Donald Trump, who recently warned Apple against expanding its production in India. Speaking at the signing of several executive orders related to US nuclear energy policy, Trump expressed disapproval over Apple’s decision to shift manufacturing overseas.
“I had an understanding with Tim (Cook) that he wouldn’t be doing this. 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,’” Trump stated. “If they’re going to sell iPhones in America, I want them built in America,” he added.
Despite Trump’s warning, Apple appears to be deepening its ties with India, signaling a long-term strategy to reduce reliance on China amid geopolitical tensions and supply chain uncertainties.
