Trump's 'Tariff Strategist' Navarro: "Apple Factory Relocation Is Silicon Valley's Longest-Running Drama"

Navarro Publicly Criticizes Tim Cook
for Delayed Relocation of iPhone Production Facilities

Peter Navarro, the White House advisor for trade and manufacturing?often referred to as President Donald Trump's tariff strategist?criticized Apple CEO Tim Cook, claiming that efforts to relocate iPhone production facilities out of China have been sluggish.

In an interview with CNBC on July 7 (local time), Navarro stated, "During the first Trump administration, CEO Cook repeatedly asked for more time to move factories out of China," adding, "The relocation of Apple factories is the longest-running drama in Silicon Valley."

He also mentioned advancements in high-tech manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI), saying, "It is unimaginable that CEO Cook cannot manufacture iPhones in regions other than China, or in the United States."

Although Apple has produced most iPhones in China, the company has recently increased production in India as tariff threats escalated due to the U.S.-China trade war.

Previously, in May, President Trump also stated, "I told CEO Cook a long time ago that I want iPhones sold in the United States to be manufactured in the U.S., not in India or other countries," warning, "Otherwise, Apple will have to pay at least a 25% tariff."

Despite President Trump's repeated pressure, there are opinions that producing iPhones in the United States will not be easy. Considering labor costs and the parts supply chain, relocating production bases would inevitably increase iPhone prices. Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, predicted that producing iPhones in the U.S. could push the price up to $3,500. Given that the iPhone 16 Pro is priced at about $1,000, this would mean a 3.5-fold increase.