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Trump Administration Reignites Criticism of Apple's China Dependence
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He knows we don’t, but his clownish supporters think so.
Trump can't build his stupid phone in the US, so why does Apple have to?
Apple is once again under pressure from the Trump administration over its dependence on Chinese manufacturing, as senior trade advisor Peter Navarro publicly criticized CEO Tim Cook for failing to shift iPhone production to the United States.
In an interview on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street," White House Senior Counselor for trade and manufacturing Peter Navarro sharply criticized Apple's global manufacturing strategy, focusing on its continued reliance on China for iPhone production. Navarro accused Apple CEO Tim Cook of delaying efforts to relocate operations and claimed that the company had made insufficient progress:
Multiple industry analysts and economists have warned that reshoring Apple's production facilities to the United States would face serious logistical, economic, and labor-related barriers. Apple currently sources thousands of parts from over 40 countries.
Navarro's comments come as the Trump administration prepares to impose a new round of tariffs following the expiration of the 90-day tariff pause that was introduced in April 2025. During that pause, the administration sought to negotiate updated trade agreements with key manufacturing countries. As of this week, those efforts have led to partial deals with some countries, while others now face new tariffs of between 10% and 40% on exports to the United States.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Article Link: Trump Administration Reignites Criticism of Apple's China Dependence
These old men are simply too stupid to understand that an iPhone is made of components made by 3rd party manufacturers, and these manufacturers are in Asia. It's not Apple's fault that nobody makes competitive OLED touchscreens in the United States.
Meanwhile that MAGA hat was made in china. All nonsense.
We live in ridiculous times when things Trump says get reported like they are sensible or normal or sane.
When it comes to fascists you do not, in fact, have to hand it to them.
I can almost guarantee you that they'll raise prices on the entire world to soften the blow on the US. Other companies have done (and will be doing because the tariff impact is nowhere near fully priced in yet) the same.
The best way to get good champagne is to ban people from buying French champagne.
The best way to get good tacos is to ban people from buying Mexican salsa.
The best way to get good software is to ban people buying software from America.
The best way to get good cars is to ban people from buying Japanese cars.
The best way to get good pasta is to ban olive oil from Italy.
What an odd totalitarian way to view the world.
Trade with others and the specialization it allows, is what has brought billions of people out of poverty.
Dictating that one can only buy things from "the party" is quite soviet style thinking, and no one defends that system anymore.
The purchasing power of Americans would drop to a fraction of what it is today. Without global trade, and items only produced locally, the purchasing power of the American consumer would evaporate. We would go back to the times of the neighborhood party line, because vast communities of people would not be able to afford their own private telephones. In fact, it's hard to really imagine how different life would be under such a system. Looking at North Korea would be the best modern guess.
But where does this weird regionalism come from? I like (certain) products to be made in America (but certainly not others--no way do I want an American car for example) but where does this geographic insistence on production stop? Is it ok to buy from California but not from Canada? What if I live in Maine and Canada is 30 minutes away? Is it because we share the same name of president? That somehow we produce superior products? What sense does that make?
Uncle Sam would like a word with you, sir!
I don’t think you even know the meaning of that word.
I'm positive I know the meaning of the word better than you do if you think it doesn't apply to Trump and his administration.
Apple needs a balanced budget. Its not a oneway street.
Americans and around the world built APPLE.
They went for cheap labor as did many companies.
Thanks Traitors.
No crumbs or food for USA that helped start a USA company.
What does Apple make in the USA?
Escuses Escuses waa wha waa..
At least a couple USA car manufacture work in and out of the USA.
And Apple cant? GREEDY MUCH?
Americans and around the world built APPLE.
They went for cheap labor as did many companies.
Thanks Traitors.
No crumbs or food for USA that helped start a USA company.
What does Apple make in the USA?
Escuses Escuses waa wha waa..
At least a couple USA car manufacture work in and out of the USA.
And Apple cant? GREEDY MUCH?
This is apple’s dirty secret. And the one that many other companies use too.
And a dirty secret that we in turn willingly turn our backs on for new cheap(ish) stuff.
In that apple designs a product that looks awesome, but is difficult to assemble.
But if you have manufacturing partner who just make it work using a tonne of people who aren’t so well paid, well you’re golden.
Apple and its shareholders get rich. We get to buy new toys each year. It’s a win win.
And apple’s involvement brings capitalism and democracy to the countries it works in and allows the people there to get richer - the ‘trickle down’ effect.
Oh wait, that last bit didn’t work out, did it?
Oh well, just focus on the new toys.
When I go to my local grocery store, i buy veggies, chocolate, butter, etc. Takes about 10-15 minutes.
During that time trump probably makes at least three insane claims.
During that time trump probably makes at least three insane claims.
I’m not American but I’m sure you’re right.
But think on this - why isn’t the USA equipped to make smartphones?
Isn’t this the consequence of globalisation?
Why train American workers to make things when they can be Amazon drivers to deliver the things that western industrialised economies used to make, but not cheaply enough to satisfy Wall Street.
By 1945 there were very few things that the USA couldn’t make domestically. I struggle to think of anything that the USA couldn’t make. Now it seemingly cannot make the single most important consumer electronics.
I’m not having a go at the USA btw. I’m having a go at globalisation & its baleful consequences (whilst being very mindful tuft I’ve benefited from all of this).
If they were serious about wanting Apple to move Production to the United States, they wouldn't make the raw materials and component imports be heavily tariffed.
Yes, it's a consequence of globalization and specifically neoliberal doctrines which developed in a post-imperialist paradigm of the imperial cores siphoning resources off of their subjects in the "third world". Globalization could have looked very different if the idea was that each country should be majority self sustaining. The solve for that however is not taxing imports to unsustainable levels and then shouting at companies that don't immediately shift complex supply and manufacturing chains to the US where we no longer have the material or intellectual capabilities to sustain that shift.
Actually no you do not, and I think you are incredibly insulting to history and the millions who died facing REAL fascism actually. But joke away.
This kind of concern trolling had already worn thin during Trump’s first administration, and this time they’re building actual concentration camps on US soil in addition to extraditing people without due process to prison facilities in other countries (notably NOT the country of origin for the people they’re abducting), using a secret police force that don’t show their faces or ID, and just show up in unmarked cars and disappear people into them. They stacked the Supreme Court to rule in Trump’s favor whenever they need it, and have already done major damage to the governmental infrastructure of the United States with all the cuts they instituted. Two Democrat politicians were murdered recently by a Trump supporter with a political agenda. Fascism is here.
You don’t know who I am, my history or my family’s history. I am well acquainted with fascism and it’s here in the US right now. I’m sorry if that hurts your little fee fees but quite frankly at this point you’re making a very deliberate choice defending this administration at this time.
Until millions of Americans decide to work for true minimum wage (like the $2 in my day when 60% of my salary was housing), there is absolutely no way this country can produce at levels that people like.
How many want to pay $30 for a 100 pack of paper plates for a kids birthday party? None. I hope Trump gets his wish and 90% of Americans work for nothing more than bread and butter, but I don't care. I'm old and on my way out.
How many want to pay $30 for a 100 pack of paper plates for a kids birthday party? None. I hope Trump gets his wish and 90% of Americans work for nothing more than bread and butter, but I don't care. I'm old and on my way out.
Why do you continue to attack Trump on everything but the topic of this thread? What are you hoping to achieve? And why do you continue to insult history and fallen souls because you do not like your current administration? And no I have not defended Trump one but, I have only called you out. My comments were on the topic and will continue to be from here on.
You're the one who said I'm misusing the word fascism when I applied to Trump.
You want on topic? Trump is acting like a fascist bully trying to force Apple to move production to the US when his admin is providing no resources to assist with the massive task. He's a blowhard and he's got his underlings picking fights because they want to create scapegoats to distract from the disastrous consequences of the self inflicted wound of tariffs.
And if you're not defending Trump, then why in hell are you clutching your pearls about me correctly calling Trump a fascist? None of your comments to me were on the topic.