Trump's comments arrive as Apple increasingly looks to India to reduce its dependence on Chinese manufacturing.

Former US President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Apple CEO Tim Cook over the company’s growing presence in India, warning that he opposes further manufacturing expansion in the country.

Speaking at a business forum in Doha, Trump voiced concern over Apple’s strategy to diversify its production footprint, particularly its shift toward India. "I told Tim, you're doing great, investing hundreds of billions, but I don’t want to hear about Apple factories popping up all over India," Trump stated during his remarks.

Trump's comments arrive as Apple increasingly looks to India to reduce its dependence on Chinese manufacturing. The iPhone maker, which already operates multiple assembly plants in India, has plans for further expansion. Trump, however, sees the move as a misalignment with American economic interests.

"India is a country with steep trade barriers. It's a challenge to sell there. They say they’re going to waive tariffs on American goods—but I haven't seen anything official," Trump added, referring to an unconfirmed proposal from New Delhi.

The former president also noted that Apple has long benefited from U.S. policies, despite its extensive operations in China. He suggested it was time for companies like Apple to focus more domestically: "We’re taking care of Apple here, and we expect them to return the favor."

Apple’s CEO recently indicated that most iPhones sold in the U.S. could soon be manufactured in India. The tech giant currently runs three production units in the country, with two more expected to launch soon. Last year alone, the company produced devices worth $22 billion in India, marking a significant 60% year-on-year growth.

Trump’s remarks come at a pivotal time, as Apple seeks to diversify its supply chain amid global trade tensions and post-pandemic economic shifts.