iPhone exports from China to the USA shrink – India benefits
Apple is importing more and more smartphones from India. This is now also reflected in the statistics. China supplies the components.
Flags of China and the United States.
(Image: Daniel AJ Sokolov)
The current trade war between the US and China is now having a significant impact on the export statistics for Apple devices. According to US media reports, exports of Chinese smartphones to the United States fell to their lowest level since 2011 in April, declining by 72 percent month-on-month, significantly more than overall exports (down 21 percent). A large part of this could be iPhones, writes the financial news agency Bloomberg. Last month, Apple began to significantly increase its iPhone exports from India.
Components from China to India
In addition to the decline in smartphone exports, there are also changes. For example, the Chinese customs administration reports that the value of “phone components” exported from China to India over the past year is approximately four times higher. This is logical, as Apple mainly has its devices assembled in India – and only some components are manufactured on the subcontinent.
Videos by heise
The shift from China to India is intended to help avoid punitive tariffs on Chinese goods – which have now reached 145% due to a corresponding order from the US government –. However, President Donald Trump recently warned Apple that he did not want iPhone production to move from China to India. He wants plants in the USA, which – are not feasible for Apple, at least in the short term – and involve massive costs.
Suspension of punitive tariffs is only temporary
China and the USA recently agreed to suspend the punitive tariffs – which had also been declared in the opposite direction – at least for now. However, this is temporary for the time being. Apple therefore does not want to rely on this and is continuing to relocate to India. So far, the country has been considered friendly to the USA, which is why the punitive tariffs have always been milder.
Bilateral trade between China and the USA amounted to around 690 billion US dollars per year in 2024. Apple's largest production facilities are located in China. A book on the subject was recently published by Financial Times correspondent Patrick McGee, in which he argues that the iPhone manufacturer itself has made a major contribution to bringing Chinese electronics production to its current level.
(bsc)
