The Great Decoupling: Apple, India, and the Strategic Migration of U.S. Manufacturing

Apple intends to shift all iPhone assembly for the U.S. market from China to India by the end of 2026 .

The move is a strategic move to diversify Apple ’s supply chain and reduce its dependence on China .

$10 billion worth of iPhones have been produced in India between April and October 2024 alone, with $7 billion shipped abroad.

The UK sought a trade ally outside the EU , and India sought prestige, capital, and leverage.

The UK ’s trade policies have created a more investment-friendly landscape, marked by minimal government red tape, legal certainty, and political stability.

India shows that the U.S.-UK special relationship, if properly managed, serves as a potent instrument of statecraft.