Trump explains why he wants to impose tariffs on Apple:
Because Cook is going to build a factory in India and I can't talk him out of it.
Reporter: Mr. President, regarding Apple, you said this morning that if they don't produce the iPhone in the U.S., you would impose a 25% tariff on them. Do you have the authority to impose tariffs on a company? Why do you want to hurt an American company?
Trump: There will be more, and this will also apply to Samsung and anyone who manufactures this product, otherwise it wouldn't be fair.
So, anyone who manufactures this product will start doing so. I think it will come out by the end of June, and I believe we will complete this work properly before the end of June. So if they produce this product here when they build a factory here, there will be no tariff.
So, they are going to build a factory here. But Cook and I have reached an understanding, he won't do it (produce in the U.S.), he said he's going to build a factory in India, and I said that's fine. But you can't sell it here without a tariff, that's just how it is.
Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1832962405269834/
Disclaimer: The article only represents the author's personal views.