Trump urges Apple CEO Tim Cook not to expand production in India
Doha (Qatar): Former US President Donald Trump has claimed that he urged Apple CEO Tim Cook not to expand the tech giant’s manufacturing operations in India. Speaking at a business event in Doha, Trump said he had a conversation with Cook where he expressed displeasure over Apple’s reported plans to increase production in India.
“I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday,” Trump said, according to a Bloomberg report. “I said to him, my friend, I’m treating you very good. You’re coming up with $500 billion, but now I hear you’re building all over India. I don’t want you building in India.”
He went on to say that India is "one of the highest tariff nations in the world," making it hard to sell American products in the country. Trump claimed that although India has now offered the US a deal with “literally no tariffs,” he told Cook, “We’re not interested in you building in India. They can take care of themselves, they are doing very well.”
According to Trump, following his conversation with Cook, Apple is now planning to ramp up its manufacturing within the United States. However, he did not provide further details about any changes in Apple’s existing plans for India or specifics of the discussion’s outcome.
During the same speech, Trump claimed that India had offered to remove tariffs on US goods, stating, “They are willing to literally charge us no tariff.” He did not elaborate further or present any official confirmation of such a deal.
Trump’s remarks come amid continuing trade negotiations between India and the United States. According to Bloomberg, formal trade talks began after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the White House earlier this year. At the time, both nations had agreed to work towards completing the first phase of a trade agreement by autumn.
India’s Trade Minister is expected to visit the US between May 17 and 20 for further discussions with American officials. Despite recent tensions, including the US imposing higher duties on Indian steel and aluminium exports — and India threatening retaliatory tariffs — officials on both sides have indicated that dialogue remains active.
Indian officials, according to Bloomberg, are reportedly frustrated by some of Trump’s public statements, including his earlier announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan and his suggestion that trade was used as a tool to influence that conflict. Indian officials have denied that any such linkage between trade and military matters was made during talks.
Apple has been gradually increasing its manufacturing presence in India over the past few years. The company produces several iPhone models in the country through contract manufacturers like Foxconn and Wistron. These steps are aligned with the Indian government’s push to attract foreign investments in electronics and reduce dependence on imports.
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DK DC Mullai Muhilan transferred, Darshan HV to take charge; Swaroopa T K new DC of Udupi
Bengaluru, June 17 – In a significant bureaucratic reshuffle announced by the Karnataka Government on Tuesday, key changes have been made in the administration of several districts across the state, including Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.
As per the official notification issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR), Darshan H V., IAS has been appointed as the new Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada District, Mangaluru. He replaces Mullai Muhilan M P., who has been transferred and posted as the Inspector General of Registration and Commissioner of Stamps, Bengaluru. Mullai Muhilan will now be relieving Pommala Sunil Kumar, IAS from concurrent charge.
Darshan H V. previously served as the Additional Commissioner for Commercial Taxes (Service Analysis Wing) in Bengaluru before being posted to Mangaluru.
Meanwhile, in Udupi district, Swaroopa T K, IAS has been appointed as the new Deputy Commissioner. She replaces Vidyakumari K, IAS, who has been transferred. Swaroopa T K. was earlier serving as the Director of E-Governance, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department in Bengaluru.
These changes are part of a larger reshuffle affecting several IAS officers across Karnataka, including new postings in Bagalkot, Hassan, Koppal, Davanagere, and Bengaluru, among others.
In total, over a dozen officers have been transferred and given new postings.
