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Amid trade tensions, Apple plans to manufacture all iPhones destined for the US market in India from 2026

Written by Deborah Araújo
Published 25/04/2025 às 18:02
Amid trade tensions, Apple plans to manufacture all iPhones destined for the US market in India from 2026
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The tech giant is seeking to reduce its dependence on China amid geopolitical tensions by relocating the manufacturing of all iPhones sold in the US to India.

Apple is preparing a major change in its production chain: all iPhones sold in the United States will have to be assembled in India by the end of 2026. The information was released by the newspaper Financial Times and reflects the company's efforts to reduce its exposure to trade tensions between the US and China.

The decision comes in direct response to the trade war that began during the administration of Donald Trump, the current president of the United States, who imposed heavy tariffs on products from China. Since then, Apple has been looking for alternatives to keep its costs under control and ensure the supply of its products in the American market.

Tariff pressure drives production shift

With tariffs on Chinese goods reaching rates of over 100% in some cases, Apple has seen its market value suffer considerable losses in recent years. Despite a temporary suspension on smartphones, Chinese-made iPhones still face a 20% tariff on imports into the US.

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To overcome these barriers, the company has been accelerating investments in India, where it already has assembly operations with partners such as Foxconn and Tata Electronics. The new strategy foresees that all of the more than 60 million iPhone units sold annually in the United States will be produced on Indian soil.

Indian production on the rise

Assembling iPhones is just the final step in a complex production chain. Although Apple is moving this phase to India, many of the key components are still manufactured in China. Experts point out that even with the shift, the dependence on Chinese suppliers will continue to be a challenge for the company.

To meet its target, Apple needs to rapidly expand the capacity of its partners in India, both in terms of infrastructure and workforce training. Production in the country is expected to double over the next two years to exclusively serve the American market.

Trade war redefines global supply chains

The trade war between the United States and China has profoundly changed the global dynamics of technology production. US companies, pressured by tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, have been forced to reevaluate their sourcing and production strategies.

In Apple's case, the search for alternatives has become even more urgent given the additional tariffs imposed by Trump, which have increased pressure on Chinese imports. While negotiating with India to establish more solid production bases, the company is in dialogue with US authorities to minimize the effects of new trade barriers.

The Indian government, for its part, also sees the change as a strategic opportunity. Although a 26% tariff on some American goods still exists, it has been suspended while New Delhi and Washington discuss a possible free trade agreement.

market expectation

Apple will release its financial results next week, and market analysts are closely monitoring the possible impact of the trade war on the company's numbers. Despite the uncertainties, CEO Tim Cook has maintained frequent contact with the Trump administration, seeking to protect Apple's interests amid an increasingly volatile international scenario.

By moving iPhone assembly to India, Apple is not only responding to pressure to reduce its dependence on China, but is also adapting to a new geopolitical reality. The move could influence other tech giants to follow suit, reshaping the global map of electronics manufacturing.

Source: Infomoney

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Deborah Araújo

I write about renewable energy, automobiles, science and technology, industry and the main trends in the job market. With a close eye on global developments and daily updates, I am dedicated to always sharing relevant information.

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