California AG Considers Legal Action Against President Trump for Potential 25% iPhone Tariffs Targeting Apple

Apple is set to introduce its iPhone 17 series later this year, but this launch may coincide with a significant price increase. This change is potentially due to a looming 25% tariff should President Donald Trump proceed with his original plans regarding iPhone production. Although Trump is vocal about his intentions to bolster domestic manufacturing, he faces considerable pushback. Recently, California Attorney General Rob Bonta suggested he may pursue legal action against Trump for his actions targeting Apple.

California’s Attorney General Defends Apple’s Rights Amidst Tariff Threat

Rob Bonta, the Attorney General of California, has indicated a willingness to challenge President Trump in court, as reported by Politico. Bonta commented on the disjointed nature of Trump’s statements regarding Apple, suggesting a pattern of inconsistency from the President.

“The statement about Apple is something that is obviously disappointing. It’s almost like he wakes up in the morning and he says, ‘Hey, I think Apple should build more Apple phones, and so maybe I’ll tell their CEO that he should do that.’ And then maybe tomorrow, he wakes up and he says, ‘Hey, I was just kidding.’”

Despite insights from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who argues that there is no realistic scenario where iPhone production moves to the U. S., Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt maintained that Trump believes it is feasible. She asserted that the U. S.has sufficient resources to facilitate this transition. Bonta emphasizes the importance of protecting companies like Apple and ensuring their rights are upheld.

“We’re proud of California companies, and we want to make sure that their rights are not violated, especially by the president of the United States, which is not something that you would normally have to protect against.”

Bonta’s public support for Apple is noteworthy, particularly as he has typically focused on scrutinizing Big Tech regarding privacy and antitrust issues. His current stance seems to reflect his recognition that companies like Apple play a pivotal role in California’s economy, which ranks as the fourth-largest in the world. Bonta is dedicated to ensuring that such firms can prosper, thereby maintaining job creation and innovation within the state.

The Attorney General has stated that his office will evaluate the legal framework surrounding any actions stemming from Trump’s statements about Apple. He will ultimately decide whether to address this issue with a targeted approach for a single company or a broader application of legal measures. More updates will follow as Bonta reaches a conclusion regarding this matter.

For further information, you can read on: Politico

Source & Images