Trump is urging Apple to relocate its iPhone production to the United States, labeling the current manufacturing setup in China as “unsustainable.” While the former president believes that Apple should prioritize domestic production, the company has historically argued that the skilled labor force and advanced manufacturing capabilities in China make such a transition impractical. In recent statements, Trump expressed his intention to bring more manufacturing jobs back to America. He cited Apple’s plans to invest $500 billion in building a new plant, claiming that the investment wouldn’t have occurred if production in China weren’t perceived as unsustainable.

During his remarks, he suggested the potential for tariff exemptions for certain companies, without specifically naming Apple, hinting at possible accommodations as trade dynamics evolve. However, the complexities of relocating such extensive manufacturing operations cannot be overlooked. In a 2017 interview, Apple CEO Tim Cook explained that the decision to manufacture in China is not solely driven by cost considerations.

He emphasized the depth of skilled labor and the advanced tooling available in China, which is crucial for producing Apple’s high-tech products. Cook noted the challenge of finding a similar concentration of tooling expertise in the U.S., stating that a meeting of tooling engineers might not even fill a room in the U.S., while China could host many experts. This sentiment was echoed by former Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who indicated that the U.S. lacks the scale of skilled workers found in China.

Nonetheless, there are signs that some companies may still consider moving production to the U.S. A Chinese supplier to Apple is reportedly exploring options to expand operations domestically to mitigate risks associated with tariffs. This development highlights the ongoing debate around manufacturing strategies in the face of economic pressures.