Kristina Roberts
Making iPhones in the United States sounds like a great idea, but it’s not as easy as it seems. One of the biggest problems? Tiny screws. Yes, something as small as a screw is causing a huge headache for companies trying to move iPhone production to the US.
A few years ago, a government official mentioned how millions of workers spend their days putting in “little, little screws” to assemble iPhones. He believed that if this work came to the US, machines could do it instead of people, creating jobs for skilled workers like mechanics and electricians. But the truth is, the technology needed to automate this process doesn’t even exist yet.
The idea of bringing iPhone manufacturing to America was pushed by a former US president, who even threatened to add heavy taxes on iPhones made outside the country. He argued that if companies wanted to sell their phones in the US, they should make them there too. Otherwise, they would face a 25% tax. This rule was supposed to apply to all smartphone companies, not just one.
The president said, “Otherwise it wouldn’t be fair,” explaining that if only one company had to pay the tax, others would have an advantage. He also mentioned that while he was okay with companies building factories in other countries, they shouldn’t expect to sell their products in the US without facing extra costs.
But legal experts say there’s a problem with this plan. The US government can’t just put taxes on one company’s products without a good reason. They would need to declare some kind of emergency to justify it. There’s a law that allows the president to take economic action in case of a serious threat to the country, and some believe this could be used to enforce such taxes.
However, lawyers say this approach is risky. If the government tries to target only one company, it could backfire. Other phone makers would benefit, and that would defeat the whole purpose of bringing jobs back to America. Plus, courts might not even allow such a move unless there’s a real emergency.
One professor explained that if the government wins a legal case about using emergency powers for taxes, then it could become easier to impose such rules in the future. But until then, forcing companies to make iPhones in the US remains a difficult task.
Beyond legal issues, there are practical challenges too. Building iPhones requires thousands of tiny parts, many of which come from different countries. Setting up factories in the US would mean either importing all those parts or finding new suppliers, which could take years. And even if companies manage to do that, the cost of making iPhones would go up, making them more expensive for customers.
Another big hurdle is automation. Right now, a lot of iPhone assembly is done by hand, especially when it comes to small parts like screws. Machines that can do this work with precision don’t exist yet. A top executive from a tech company once said, “I need robotic arms that can handle this work perfectly before I can bring it to the US.” Until that technology is ready, full-scale production in America isn’t possible.
Some people believe that bringing manufacturing back to the US will create more jobs. But the reality is that even if factories open in America, most of the work would be done by machines, not people. That means fewer jobs than expected, and only for those with technical skills.
So, while the idea of US-made iPhones sounds good, the road to making it happen is full of obstacles. From tiny screws to legal battles, there are many reasons why it’s not as simple as it seems. Unless technology improves and laws change, iPhones will likely keep being made outside the US for a long time.
The debate over where products should be made is not just about iPhones—it’s about the future of manufacturing. Should companies rely on global supply chains, or should they bring everything back home? There are no easy answers, but one thing is clear: small details, like little screws, can make a big difference.
For now, the dream of iPhones labeled “Made in the USA” remains just that—a dream. Until the technology, laws, and costs align, most smartphones will continue to be assembled overseas. And while leaders may push for change, the reality of modern manufacturing means that some challenges are too big to solve overnight.
In the end, the discussion isn’t just about taxes or factories—it’s about how the world makes things. And for something as complex as an iPhone, every little piece matters. Whether the US can overcome these hurdles is still uncertain, but one thing is for sure: the journey won’t be easy.
