Foxconn relocates 300 chinese engineers from India iphone operations in India, raising concerns over Apple’s production strategy, Bloomberg reports.Apple may encounter production setbacks, logistic hurdles or operational strains as it accelerates iPhone 17 output, amid escalating trade conflicts and geopolitical tension between the US and China.
More than 300 Chinese employees withdrew from Foxconn’s Indian iPhone assembly sites over two months, without a clear explanation for the abrupt recall. Taiwan’s Foxconn established a new division at ESR Industrial Park, Oragadam, Tamil nadu, indicating Apple’s strategy to expand its supplier base in India, ET reports.
In May, Foxconn allocated $2.56 billion in its Devanahalli plant, aiming to build 100,000 iPhones by year end, emphasising on house accommodations for its mainly female workforce of 30,000.
From March through May, Foxconn shipped $3.26 billion worth of iPhones from India, with 97% going to the US. In May 2025, US shipment nearly hit $1 billion, the second highest following March’s $1.3 billion, Reuters reported citing custom figures.
US President Donald Trump criticised Apple’s move into India, warning of a 25% import tariff on iphones made abroad as of May 23. In April, a $432M semiconductor venture between Foxconn and HCL received Government’s approval for construction in North India.
Bloomberg stated that India generates nearly 20% of the world’s iPhones, as Apple targets a shift of most US production by 2026, but a talent gap could slow progress.
