iPhone and smartphone imports from China just hit record low since 2011
Smartphone imports from China plunge (Photo: Getty Images)
Imports of iPhones and other smartphones from China to the US have plummeted, reaching their lowest level since 2011, according to Apple news outlet 9to5Mac.
Chinese smartphone exports to the US take a hit
Despite the suspension of tougher tariffs, the 20% duty introduced in March remains in effect — and is believed to be the key reason why smartphone shipments from China to the US have dropped by $1.8 billion.
What Trump did
During his presidency, Donald Trump imposed tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese goods. While those measures were later relaxed, the 20% smartphone import tariff stayed in place.
Apple has already warned investors that the 20% tariff will add roughly $900 million in costs for the current quarter alone.
For now, the tech giant is absorbing the hit, but according to media reports, Apple is considering raising prices on the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup to protect its profit margins.
Smartphone exports to the US plunge by $1.8 billion — the lowest since the early iPhone era
According to Bloomberg, exports of smartphones from China to the US dropped by $1.8 billion in April compared to March, reaching levels not seen in over 13 years, nearly back to the early days of the iPhone.
The overall decline hit 72%, with total shipments falling below $700 million. This far outpaces the broader 21% drop in Chinese exports to the US, underscoring how deeply US tariff policy is disrupting tech supply chains.
Decline in other tech categories as well:
- Laptops: -$260 million;
- SSD drives: -$156.9 million;
- Gaming consoles: -$135.9 million;
- Shipments of wireless earbuds, monitors, and toys also dropped significantly.
Apple shifts production to India
Apple CEO Tim Cook told investors that the company aims to manufacture as many of its US-bound products in India as possible. However, he noted that China is not making that transition easy.
Still, progress is visible: Apple has quadrupled the volume of components shipped to India for iPhone assembly.
According to China's General Administration of Customs, the value of smartphone component exports to India, home to the largest iPhone production base outside of China, has increased fourfold over the past year.
You might be interested in:
