Trump faces awkward moment as his Apple rant gets disturbed by repeated calls on own iPhone. Watch video

US President Donald Trump had to face an awkward moment in the Oval Office on Friday as the 78-year-old Republican slammed Apple for its ‘Make in India’ plans. Trump had difficulty figuring out how to stop his phone ringing Friday during an Oval Office press conference that was supposed to be about nuclear energy. The president cut at least two calls in front of reporters, saying congressmen were ringing him to congratulate his administration.

'Oh, it's a phone call'

Trump was in the middle of talking about the crippling tariffs he’s imposed on goods coming into the United States—which have already raised prices on products for many American consumers—when his phone rang during the White House event.

“Oh, it’s a phone call, do you mind?” Trump said jokingly while picking up his iPhone. Trump looked down at his phone and swiped to his right, which is normally how you answer a phone call, not send it to voicemail.

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“Okay, it’s only a Congressman,” Trump said with a crooked smile, setting the phone face-down on his desk. One of the reporters in the room appeared to ask “who was it?” and Trump replied “I’d let you know,” but then didn’t let anyone know.


This came as Trump was talking to reporters on his plans to levy additional tariffs on Apple products if the tech company decides to manufacture iPhones outside the United States.

Less than ten seconds had passed before the phone rang again. He picked it up, stunned, and said, "It's a different Congressman." This time, Trump seemed more successful in silencing the device, pressing the side buttons a few times in an attempt to finally mute it. Once again, he didn’t reveal who was on the other end.

"It's just a congressman," President Trump joked after his cell phone interrupted his discussion with media in the Oval Office Friday.

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Trump threatens Apple with tariffs

Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on iPhones if they are not made in the United States, as he stepped up the pressure on Apple to build its signature product in the country.

The president wiped approximately $70bn (£52bn) off the company’s shares with a post on the Truth Social platform that said iPhones sold inside the US must be made within the country’s borders.

Trump said in the post: “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else. If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the US.”

Apple shares fell 2.6% on Trump’s comments, pushing the company’s valuation just below $3tn.

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Apple won’t be alone. In remarks to reporters at the White House on Friday afternoon, Trump said that he would also impose a 25% tariff on Samsung and any other phone manufacturer that makes phones outside of the US, or, he said, “it would not be fair.”

Earlier in the day, President Trump said that he expects Apple to make iPhones in the US. “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else. If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the US," he wrote on Truth Social.

The 78-year-old later clarified that all smartphones made abroad will be taxed and the tariffs could be coming as soon as the end of June. “It would be also Samsung and anybody that makes that product,” Trump said. “Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair.”

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Trump's Apple criticism was in response to Apple CEO Tim Cook saying that most iPhones sold in the US during the current fiscal quarter would come from India, with iPads and other devices being imported from Vietnam. This was after the administration announced steep tariffs on China-made products. In a May 15 statement, Trump spoke about Apple CEO Tim Cook, stating that they had a ‘little problem’.

He recounted how he told Cook: "We're not interested in you building in India... we want you to build here and they're going to be upping their production in the United States."