Apple Plans to Shift All U.S. iPhone Production to India Amid China Trade Tensions

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) is reportedly planning to shift all iPhone assembly for the U.S. market to India as early as next year, in a strategic move to reduce reliance on China amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions, according to the Financial Times. The goal is to manufacture over 60 million iPhones annually in India by the end of 2026.

This transition would double India's iPhone output within just a year—an aggressive timeline compared to Apple’s nearly two-decade investment in building supply chains in China. Apple currently relies heavily on Chinese manufacturing partners like Foxconn (SS:601138), but the renewed trade war has prompted the tech giant to diversify its production.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently imposed a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, triggering a 125% retaliatory tariff from Beijing. Although Trump temporarily exempted electronics, he warned that tech imports will face future tariffs. The escalating trade conflict has already wiped out nearly $700 billion in Apple’s market capitalization due to investor fears over supply chain disruptions and higher costs.

Apple began ramping up shipments from India in early April, following the renewed tariffs. The company has been expanding its Indian operations with key partners Tata Electronics and Foxconn, especially after previous unrest in China disrupted production.

Despite growing investments in India, the majority of iPhone production still occurs in China. However, with Beijing increasing scrutiny of American firms and geopolitical risks rising, Apple is accelerating its India strategy to safeguard its operations and supply U.S. demand without being subjected to punitive tariffs.

This shift marks a significant pivot in Apple’s global supply chain strategy, signaling India’s growing role as a key hub for high-end electronics manufacturing.