US President Donald Trump said that he talked to Apple CEO Tim Cook and asked him not to increase Apple’s production in India. As per a report by Bloomberg, Trump said this while speaking at a business event in Doha.

“We’re not interested in you building in India. They can take care of themselves; they are doing very well,” Trump told Tim Cook, as quoted by Bloomberg.

Trump also said that after their conversation, Apple would now increase its production in the United States. However, he did not give any further details about how the conversation might change Apple’s existing plans in India.

Over the past few years, Apple has been steadily expanding its manufacturing in India. The company makes several iPhone models in the country through contract manufacturers such as Foxconn and Wistron. These efforts are part of India’s plan to increase foreign investment in electronics and reduce dependence on imports.

Tensions in trade, but talks continue

Trump made these comments soon after India warned it might put extra taxes on US goods. This was because the US had increased taxes on Indian steel and aluminium. Still, Bloomberg reported that trade talks between India and the US are continuing. People who know about the talks said both countries are working to make a trade deal.

Trump also claimed that India had offered to remove tariffs on American goods. “They are willing to literally charge us no tariff,” he said during the same speech in Doha. However, he did not give any clear details about this offer.

India and the US began official trade talks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the White House in February. Both countries had agreed to finish the first part of the trade deal by autumn. India’s trade minister is likely to visit the US between May 17 and 20 for more discussions.

Trump’s comments also came during a time when the relationship between India and the US has been unclear. Some Indian officials are said to be unhappy with Trump’s recent public statements. These include his announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan and his suggestion that trade was used as a way to help stop the fighting between the two countries.

Indian officials have said that trade talks were not linked to the military issue with Pakistan. No official reports have confirmed that both topics were discussed together.

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