Former White House trade advisor Peter Navarro has renewed pressure on Apple to move its iPhone manufacturing out of China and into the United States. In a recent CNBC interview, Navarro accused Apple CEO Tim Cook of delaying efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese factories, calling it “the longest-running soap opera in Silicon Valley.”
Navarro, a key figure in former President Donald Trump’s trade team, argued that Apple has had years to shift production and should leverage new technologies like automation to make U.S. manufacturing feasible. “It’s inconceivable to me that Tim Cook could not produce his iPhones elsewhere,” he said.
Experts Disagree on Feasibility
However, analysts and supply chain experts caution that Navarro’s vision may not align with current industrial realities. U.S.-based production could increase the cost of an iPhone to over $3,000, they note. America’s manufacturing infrastructure has been in decline for decades, and restoring it would require substantial investment and time.
Apple has slowly moved some assembly work to countries like India, but progress has been gradual. Even after nearly a decade of planning, India’s output remains modest compared to China’s.
Automation vs. American Jobs
Navarro and other Trump-era officials suggest that automation could offset high labor costs. Yet, this approach raises concerns about job creation—the original intent of reshoring. While automation may reduce costs, it could also limit employment opportunities, undermining one of the administration’s key goals.
Additionally, critics argue that the U.S. lacks the educational and vocational infrastructure needed to support high-tech manufacturing at Apple’s scale. With declining investments in education and labor training, building a sustainable workforce remains a major hurdle.
While Navarro’s call for domestic iPhone production appeals to economic nationalism, practical barriers remain significant. High costs, inadequate infrastructure, and long lead times suggest that Apple’s deep ties with China won’t be easily severed anytime soon.
