Trump threatens to attack Apple and other smartphones manufacturers – Liberation

In his protectionist obsession, Donald Trump for the first time targeted an American company, before recovering and extending the measure. The American president threatened this Friday, May 23 on his TRUTH social platform to impose « At least 25 % » of Customs duties in Appleif the company does not make its iPhone in the United States. The president said that Apple had not relocated iPhone production in the United States despite his repeated requests. A few hours later, he said that these customs tariffs would be applied to all companies selling in the United States smartphones assembled abroad; « Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair. »

« It would also be Samsung and all those who make this product »he said, during a press briefing at the White House, mentioning an entry into force « End of June ». He had previously explained: « It’s been a long time since I informed Tim Cook that I expected that the iPhone sold in the United States is manufactured and built in the United States, not in India or elsewhere. If this is not the case, Apple will have to pay customs duties of at least 25 % in the United States ”.

During the presentation of Apple’s latest results in early May, Tim Cook had said to expect that « The majority of iPhone sold in the United States »during the current quarter, come from India. This measure made it possible to avoid customs duties 145 % applied by the United States to products from China, traditionally at the heart of the manufacture of famous smartphones. Since then, the two countries have agreed to A 90 -day truce On their customs surcharges.