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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Focus on Vijay's poll promises; TVK assured 8 gm gold for women
Chennai (PTI): As the new-entrant TVK appears likely to emerge as the single largest party and form the government, the focus has now turned into actor-politician Vijay's poll promises, including 8 gm gold for marriage, which is worth about Rs 14,000 per gram (22 carat).
Vijay's assurances in the party manifesto include Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for women below 60 years, 8 gm gold for marriage and six free cooking gas cylinders a year, per family.
By 3 PM, as per EC data, Vijay's party is leading in 105 constituencies and it falls short of a simple majority (118) in the Assembly.
The actor-turned-politician also assured a quality silk saree in addition to gold for indigent brides and interest-free loans up to Rs 5 lakh for women-run SHGs. He assured corruption-free good governance if voted to power in his maiden electoral fight.
The manifesto also laid importance on education. To prevent school dropouts, mothers or guardians of children studying in government and state-aided schools will receive Rs 15,000 annually.
Vijay promised 100 special residential schools named after iconic leader K Kamaraj, credited with revolutionising education in the state, and higher education loans of up to Rs 20 lakh. The TVK founder also assured AI Ministry, AI University and AI City.
The manifesto placed a strong emphasis on agrarian welfare, too.
The party promised a full waiver of agricultural cooperative crop loans for farmers owning less than five acres of land, while those holding more than five acres will receive a 50 per cent waiver. Additionally, the party promised a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 3,500 per quintal for paddy and Rs 4,500 per tonne for sugarcane.
Addressing youth unemployment, Vijay pledged to create five lakh new government jobs and offer as many stipendiary internships. Unemployed graduates will be provided a monthly aid of up to Rs 4,000. For government employees, the party assured consideration of the Old Pension Scheme and the regularisation of contract workers, including nurses.
On the health front, he promised a drug-free Tamil Nadu. Vijay also committed to modernising hospitals, providing free annual health checkups, and introducing a Rs 25 lakh family health insurance scheme.
The manifesto also included a Rs 3,000 monthly pension for the elderly and the differently-abled, 200 units of free power, patta (land deed) regularisation, and 100 per cent piped drinking water supply for all households.
Some of the policy intereventions promised by TVK include a legal guarantee to provide essential government services like community certificates, and land pattas, within a strictly specified timeframe.
Vijay also promised doorstep delivery of governance by implementing a system to deliver services, such as ration supplies, directly to the people. He also assured that ease of doing business will be paramount to his government and promised a strict guarantee that business licences will be issued within 21 days.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu were held on April 23.
