President Donald Trump has largely succeeded in implementing his agenda, but there remains one goal that seems unattainable: having Apple manufacture the iPhone in the United States. Trump believes that by enforcing his tariff plan, he can compel Apple to bring its production back home.
This desire was underscored during a recent media briefing where his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, expressed Trump’s confidence in the U.S. workforce, insisting that the country has the necessary labor and resources for such a project. Leavitt pointed out Apple’s significant investment of $500 billion in the U.S., suggesting that the company must believe in the viability of American manufacturing.
However, analysts and industry experts have raised serious doubts about this notion. Laura Martin, a Needham analyst, strongly asserted that it is not feasible to manufacture the iPhone in the U.S. due to soaring costs, while Dan Ives of Wedbush echoed this sentiment, predicting that the price of a domestically produced iPhone would reach $3,500.
The issues extend beyond simple labor cost discrepancies, as Apple would struggle to establish a reliable supply chain for components at competitive prices if manufacturing were relocated. While Trump and some supporters envision a scenario where U.S. jobs are created through domestic production, the economic realities paint a different picture.
The high costs associated with U.S. labor would make the iPhone prohibitively expensive for most consumers. In theory, Trump could raise tariffs so excessively that it forces Apple to produce in the U.S., but such a strategy could lead to a significantly depressed economy, discouraging consumer spending even further.
Ultimately, this aspiration may remain a wish on Trump’s bucket list, one that cannot be turned into reality merely through political maneuvering or influence.