During a state visit to Qatar, Trump revealed a tense exchange with Cook over Apple's offshore moves. "I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday," Trump said. "He is building all over India. I don't want you building in India. India can take care of itself."

The warning highlights the growing friction between Apple’s global supply chain strategies and political expectations in the US. Apple has dramatically expanded its operations outside China, assembling $22 billion worth of iPhones in India over the past year. The company recently announced that a majority of its devices shipped into the US during the June quarter will come from India and Vietnam.

Trump's comments come against a broader backdrop of concern about US companies’ dependence on foreign manufacturing. He pointed to India’s historically high tariff barriers, which make it difficult for American products to compete, and rejected New Delhi’s latest offer of a "no-tariff deal," insisting that Apple should focus on expanding domestic production.

The situation underscores the delicate balancing act facing Tim Cook and his team. While diversifying assembly to India and Vietnam reduces dependence on China and mitigates supply chain risks, it exposes Apple to a fresh set of political and economic challenges.

The stakes are high as American policymakers increasingly view overseas manufacturing as a strategic vulnerability. Trump’s remarks are a stark reminder that global supply chain decisions now carry serious political consequences, especially as the US election cycle heats up.

Jobs' Mob has not responded publicly to Trump’s criticism. However, its ongoing diversification efforts suggest it is betting that operational efficiency and lower risk from China outweigh the political blowback at home.

If tensions escalate, Apple may find itself navigating not only complex logistics but also a minefield of protectionist sentiment in Washington, where bringing manufacturing back to the US has become a rallying cry.