Despite Trump Warning, India Dominates iPhone Exports

New Delhi : In a remarkable shift in global manufacturing, India has emerged as the leading exporter of iPhones to the United States, accounting for a staggering 97% of all iPhones sold in the US market. This comes despite recent warnings from former US President Donald Trump, who had advocated for companies like Apple to shift production back to American soil. However, Apple’s supply chain strategy appears to have doubled down on India as a preferred production hub, defying political pressures and continuing to capitalize on the country’s growing manufacturing capabilities.

Between March and May 2025, India exported iPhones worth ₹27,000 crore to the United States, with the month of May alone contributing ₹8,600 crore to this figure. This marks a significant leap from 2024, when only 50% of iPhones were being assembled in India. Apple’s top manufacturing partners—Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron—have ramped up operations across Indian states, benefiting from the government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, tax breaks, and supportive infrastructure.

The shift underscores Apple’s long-term strategy to diversify its supply chain away from China. Rising geopolitical tensions, labor concerns, and supply disruptions in China have accelerated Apple’s transition toward India. Industry experts see this as a win-win situation—India gains through job creation and export revenue, while Apple secures a more stable and scalable production base.

This surge in exports also highlights India’s growing role in global electronics manufacturing. With robust logistics, a skilled workforce, and expanding technology zones, India is positioning itself as a credible alternative to traditional manufacturing giants. Apple’s growing footprint could also encourage other tech firms to follow suit, boosting India’s ambitions to become a global tech manufacturing powerhouse.

The trend has not gone unnoticed by US policymakers. While Donald Trump continues to criticize offshore manufacturing, current US trade policies have not introduced any major deterrents to Apple’s India-centric production. Analysts believe that unless policy changes are enacted, Apple will likely continue expanding its manufacturing base in India.

For now, Indian factories are not just assembling phones for the domestic market—they are fueling the iPhone demand in the world’s largest economy. The figures are not just impressive; they signal a deeper transformation in global trade and manufacturing dynamics.