Google Pixel 10 India manufacturing: Defying Trump’s tariffs with exports and diversification

Google Pixel 10 India manufacturing is accelerating as Alphabet, Google’s parent company, pushes forward with local production plans despite United States President Donald Trump’s vocal opposition to American firms outsourcing abroad. In a move that underscores India’s rising stature as a global tech hub, Alphabet is in advanced talks to assemble the flagship Pixel 10 series in the country for domestic sales and exports to markets including Europe and the US. 

This development syncs with Alphabet’s broader supply chain diversification strategy, which moves away from Taiwan while taking advantage of India’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.

Trump’s trade tensions add friction

Trump’s chagrin is palpable, given his administration’s aggressive tariff policies targeting India over its trade ties with Russia and perceived unfair practices. The president has repeatedly urged US tech giants like Google to prioritise domestic manufacturing, threatening up to 26% tariffs on Indian imports as part of a 54% levy on Chinese goods and similar hikes on Vietnam. 

In May 2025, Trump publicly criticised offshoring during a White House address, singling out tech firms for “abandoning American workers”. India’s role in supplying sanctioned Russian oil has further strained relations, with Trump imposing secondary sanctions in July 2025.

Yet, Alphabet appears undeterred, viewing India’s cost advantages and skilled workforce as essential for competitiveness. Analysts note that full US production could inflate Pixel prices by 50-70%, making India’s ecosystem—bolstered by PLI incentives worth $6.4 billion—irresistible.

Strategic diversification and PLI benefits 

Alphabet's quest to mitigate geopolitical risks is at the heart of Google Pixel 10 India manufacturing. Taiwan, home to key suppliers like Foxconn’s parent Hon Hai Precision, faces escalating tensions with China, prompting a “China-plus-one” pivot.

India offers stability, with its PLI scheme providing subsidies up to 6% on incremental sales, drawing in $12 billion in smartphone investments since 2020. Alphabet aims to position India as a consumer market—where Pixels hold a 2% share—and as an export base, targeting 20% of global Pixel output by 2027. 

This mirrors moves by rivals like Apple, which shifted 15% of iPhone production to India amid similar tariff pressures.

Social media buzz on X (formerly Twitter) reflects enthusiasm for “Make in India”, with users hailing the Pixel 10 shift as a “big achievement” for local jobs and exports. Posts from September 3-9, highlight how this could double Dixon Technologies’ revenue to $2.5 billion in fiscal 2026, fuelling optimism in India’s electronics sector. 

But the buzz had begun last year when the news of Google manufacturing its older Pixel 8 version in India hit the headlines.

BIG

Last year in October, Google announced that its flagship Pixel phones will be #MadeInIndia

Now, it’s confirmed that Pixel 8 will be manufactured by Noida based EMS major Dixon Technologies.

Initial capacity will be 1.2 million phones per year, to be increased later. pic.twitter.com/v98MuZSkC7

— The Uttar Pradesh Index (@theupindex) May 22, 2024

Key manufacturing partnerships 

Alphabet is leveraging established Indian partners for Google Pixel 10 India manufacturing. Foxconn, already assembling Pixel 9a models in Tamil Nadu, will scale up for the Pixel 10, focusing on high-end variants with Tensor G5 chips. 

Based in Noida, Dixon Technologies expects to lead volume production, having ramped up from 500,000 units annually to over 2 million by mid-2025. 

New entrant Bhagwati Products, a Micromax subsidiary, is in discussions to handle component sourcing and mid-range assembly, diversifying the supply base. 

These collaborations aim at localisation. Forty per cent of components are now sourced domestically, up from 25 per cent last year. 

Timeline and global export ambitions 

Trial production of the Pixel 10 began in August at Dixon’s facilities, with the initial launch batch imported from Taiwan to meet September rollout demands. Commercial manufacturing is slated to commence by October, aiming for 1-2 million units in the first year. 

Exports could start as early as Q1 2026, prioritising Europe (where Pixels grew 25% YoY) and the US, potentially offsetting Trump’s tariffs through adjusted pricing. Alphabet’s $1 billion investment in Indian data centres, announced in June, complements this, enhancing AI features like Gemini integration in Pixels. 

Implications for tech and trade 

Google Pixel 10 India manufacturing signals a seismic shift in global supply chains, challenging Trump’s “America First” ethos. It's an employment opportunity for India, as it promises 50,000 new jobs and $5 billion in exports by 2028, cementing its rivalry with Vietnam and China. 

Yet, risks linger: escalating US-India tariffs could add 10-15% to export costs, prompting Alphabet to explore hybrid models with US assembly for premium lines. One X user noted, “India’s becoming a major global smartphone hub, not just a consumer market.”

With Pixel sales projected to hit $15 billion globally in 2026, Alphabet’s bold bet on India could redefine tech geopolitics, even as Trump’s policies test its resolve.