Despite mounting pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump to bring manufacturing back to American soil, Apple’s key supplier Foxconn is moving full speed ahead with its expansion in India.
According to the Financial Times, Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Precision, is investing $1.5 billion to build a new display module facility in Tamil Nadu, southern India. This follows the Indian government’s recent approval of a $450 million chip assembly plant in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
India is fast emerging as a vital hub for Apple’s global manufacturing strategy, complementing its existing operations in China, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Sources suggest Foxconn aims to eventually shift all iPhone production for the U.S. market to India—driven largely by U.S. tariffs imposed on Chinese imports during Trump’s administration.
Trump has been vocal in his criticism of Apple’s increasing reliance on overseas manufacturing. In a pointed message to CEO Tim Cook, Trump said, “We are not interested in you building in India,” reinforcing his push to relocate high-tech manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.
Meanwhile, Apple’s international supply chain—particularly its ties with Chinese tech firms—is under renewed scrutiny. Reports indicate the Trump administration is reviewing Apple’s collaboration with Alibaba, specifically the integration of Chinese AI models into iPhones sold within China.
Despite the political headwinds, Foxconn’s continued investment in India signals a firm commitment to diversifying Apple’s production footprint and mitigating geopolitical risks across the supply chain.