California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, is considering legal action against the Trump administration regarding proposed tariffs on iPhones. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs of 25% or more on iPhones that are not manufactured within the United States.
Bonta expressed his concerns about this potential move, emphasizing Apple’s importance to California’s economy, which ranks as the fourth largest in the world. Bonta criticized Trump’s approach, suggesting it appeared whimsical and lacking in consideration for the business ramifications.
He remarked on the absurdity of needing to protect a U.S. company operating in the state from threats posed by the President. Bonta stated, “We’re proud of California companies, and we want to ensure that their rights are not violated, especially by the president of the United States.”
Trump’s demands for Apple to manufacture iPhones domestically could lead to substantial price increases. The likelihood of finding American workers willing to work for the same low wages as their counterparts in China is slim, and establishing a domestic supply chain would be fraught with difficulties.
Before pursuing any legal action, Bonta plans to review Trump’s tariff policies to determine if they unfairly target California firms. Trump has also indicated that similar tariffs could apply to other manufacturers, such as Samsung.
Apple has not yet responded to Trump’s statements, where he indicated that he expects iPhone units sold in the U.S. to be produced locally, rather than sourced from places like India. Analyst Dan Ives from Wedbush Securities projected that if tariffs are enacted, prices for iPhones could soar to as much as $3,500, significantly raising costs for consumers.