★ Government Action
Trump doubles India tariffs to 50% on day of Apple investment event
Filed August 2025
★ The Brief
What happened
On August 6, 2025, Trump signed an order adding a 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing India's purchases of Russian oil, lifting the combined rate to 50%. He signed it the same day as the White House event on Apple's $100 billion U.S. investment pledge.
Who enabled it
Who benefits
Deal or steal?
Trump had pressed Apple CEO Tim Cook not to expand iPhone production in India. The tariff landed the same day Apple's $100 billion pledge won it an exemption from his new 100% chip tariffs.
★ Cast your vote
On August 6, 2025, the same day as the White House Apple investment announcement, President Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on India, ostensibly related to India's use of Russian oil, bringing combined tariffs on Indian goods to 50% when implemented in 21 days. The move came after Trump had previously pressured Apple CEO Tim Cook not to expand iPhone manufacturing in India, and after Apple had already shipped approximately 1.5 million iPhones from India to the US in April to get ahead of potential tariffs.
Further reading
- ★ Private ActionAugust 2025Apple adds $100B to U.S. manufacturing pledge, total $600B
- ★ Government ActionAugust 2025Trump exempts Apple and other tech investors from 100% chip tariffs
- ★ Private ActionOctober 2025Corporations pledge funding for Trump's $300M White House ballroom
- ★ Private ActionAugust 2025Tim Cook gifts Trump gold souvenir during Apple tariff lobbying
- ★ Private ActionJuly 2025Rolex gifts Trump a desk clock during Swiss tariff lobbying
- ★ Government ActionJuly 2025Trump cuts Swiss tariffs 39% to 15% after Rolex lobbying