Trump's tariffs could make your iPhone pricier: Apple's big challenge

Core Viewpoint - Apple is facing significant cost pressures due to its reliance on Chinese manufacturing amid the U.S.-China trade war, with potential price hikes for iPhones as tariffs on Chinese imports reach 145% [1] Group 1: Production and Supply Chain - Apple has begun moving production to India, flying 600 tonnes of iPhones (approximately 1.5 million units) to the U.S. since March, as part of a strategy to diversify manufacturing away from China [2] - The production of premium iPhone models in India started only last year, and it may take years for these facilities to meet the full demand from key markets [3] Group 2: Financial Implications - UBS analysts estimate that to maintain profit margins under current tariff rates, Apple may need to raise iPhone prices by up to 30% on some models, which could impact profitability and consumer demand [4] - If manufacturing were to shift entirely to the U.S., estimates suggest that retail prices for iPhones could soar to around $3,500, making this option unviable [5] Group 3: Market Performance - Apple's stock has been negatively impacted by these trade tensions, closing at $190.42 on April 11, down 4.24% for the day [6] - Year-to-date, Apple stock has dropped 23%, with a nearly 15% decline since April 2, when the latest tariff package was announced, falling from $223 to current levels [8]