Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook kicked off a plan to manufacture iPhones in India years ago. It was one of a series of savvy moves, along with a newly announced $100 billion U.S. investment, that have helped the company avoid President Trump’s recent tariff threats.

U.S. President Donald Trump is increasing the tariff on goods from India to 50 percent starting on August 27, but Apple's manufacturing in

In a masterclass of trade-war theatre, President Donald Trump Wednesday wielded a 100 per cent semiconductor tariff like a cudgel—only to grant Apple complete amnesty moments later, creating a curious spectacle where the same India facing punitive 50 per cent duties for buying Russian oil will manufacture tariff-exempt iPhone 17s bound for American pockets.