At a press conference on May 23, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said he was ready to file a lawsuit if it found it appropriate, after President Trump threatened to impose a 25% tax on Apple products if the company did not move iPhone manufacturing to the US.
Speaking at the event with local businesses, when questioned by Politico reporters, Mr. Bonta affirmed: We will definitely assess our potential role. We will monitor his actions, if he does, the law is violated and we have the authority to file a lawsuit, we will take appropriate action.
Earlier in the same day, President Trump posted on the social network Truth Social, urging Apple CEO Tim Cook to bring iPhone production back to the US, instead of located in India or other countries.
He then continued to assert that this 25% would apply to Samsung and any other company that makes that product, otherwise it would be unfair.
Mr. Bonta criticized President Trump's statement, calling it "clearly disappointing". Its like he wakes up in the morning and thinks, I want Apple to make more iPhones here, and then maybe he will tell their CEO to do the same. And then the next day, he woke up and said, Actually, I was just joking.
With a history of pursuing lawsuits against major technology corporations for privacy and monopoly, Mr. Bonta said his office is reviewing the legal basis for any tariffs stemming from President Trump's threats.
He also said that it is very important to consider whether the tax rate is only targeted at one company or widely applied.
Why can California become the fourth largest economy in the world? It's thanks to companies like Apple, Bonta stressed. We are proud of California businesses and want to ensure their rights are not violated especially by the US President, which is why no one should worry.
As for Apple, the company has not yet commented on this tariff threat. However, Apple's stock fell 3% in the trading session at the end of last week, continuing a volatile week for the company's investor.
