In an attempt to circumvent impending new tariffs, Apple expedited the shipment of iPhones and other products from its manufacturing hubs in India and China to the United States, Times of India is reporting.
Over a span of three days in late March, the tech giant dispatched five cargo planes loaded with these devices, aiming to sidestep the 10% reciprocal tariff imposed by the Trump administration, which took effect on April 5, 2025.
By accelerating these shipments, Apple intends to temporarily shield its U.S. operations from the financial impact of the new tariffs. The company has reportedly stocked its U.S. warehouses with sufficient inventory to sustain several months of sales without immediate price adjustments.
A source familiar with the matter stated, “The reserves that arrived at lower duty will temporarily insulate the company from the higher prices that it will need to pay for new shipments under the revised tax rates.”
Despite the tariff hike, Apple has no immediate plans to increase retail prices in the U.S. or other key global markets. The company is conducting a comprehensive analysis of how varying tariff structures across different manufacturing locations might influence its supply chain and pricing strategies.
An insider noted, “Any price hike to offset this impact cannot be limited to just the U.S. market, but will have to be taken across key global regions, including India.” India currently produces iPhones and AirPods, and its exports to the U.S. are subject to a 26% tariff, compared to the 54% levied on Chinese goods.
As the U.S. remains a critical market for Apple, the company is keen on avoiding the transfer of increased costs to consumers, which could potentially dampen demand and affect profit margins.
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Why can’t it be? The price hike would be 100% due to Trump’s tariffs, which are specifically meant to make them more expensive in the US market. Raising prices everywhere else to subsidize the price in the US is ridiculous. The rest of the world will already pay in terms of reduced demand for products made in their countries. Charging them more to offset the pain to the US consumer is BS.
I wonder if Apple will choose to bypass the US as the distribution hub for North America, and instead just ship products destined for Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean directly into the countries, avoiding Agent Orange's tariffs for the consumers in them?
Lets say apple ships iPhone to canada – then we ship them to USA – still would have a tariff
Oh, I’m not talking about Canadian-shipped products then sent to US – I’m talking about for domestic retail (and potentially for Mexico / Caribbean). So we’re not potentially getting double-dinged – the tariff for the product getting into the US followed by the potential of a retaliatory tariff as it enters Canada from US. Similar issue for others.