Trump trade tariff threat could hit Apple accessories
Customers risk paying the price of a proposed 10% levy on electronics imported from China
Apple users may soon be paying more for accessories if Donald Trump’s latest trade tariff proposals for imported electrical goods from China are given the green light.
The tech giant’s iPhones and Mac computers are currently exempt from paying import tariffs, but the US President’s latest proposal to slap a 10% trade levy on Chinese products could force the company to raise prices or cut its profit margins, the Financial Times says.
Apple’s accessory range, which the FT describes as the company’s “fastest-growing division”, would be potentially affected by the tariffs, putting products such as the HomePod smart speaker and Apple Watch at risk of higher price tags.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Although Apple is based in Cupertino, California, a report by MacWorld last year revealed that many of the company’s devices are either manufactured or assembled in China.
The levies would also apply to accessories produced by other US-based hardware companies that use China as a manufacturing hub.
While the tariffs only apply to products arriving from China into the US, tech companies could seek to increase prices in all territories as a result of the higher import duties.
China could, however, retaliate with its own tariffs on US imports, says Trusted Reviews. This means Apple could face a “double-whammy” in the form of two major import and export levies.
Trump’s proposed tariffs may go into effect in the autumn, according to Engadget. They have not been well received by Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook.
He told CNN in June that Trump’s ongoing trade war with China was going to be a “lose-lose” situation. But Cook added that he was “very optimistic” that the conflict would end with neither country imposing higher tariffs on electrical goods.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its face
Under The Radar The 'kingdom of happiness' is facing economic problems and unprecedented emigration
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
DOJ seeks breakup of Google, Chrome
Speed Read The Justice Department aims to force Google to sell off Chrome and make other changes to rectify its illegal search monopoly
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
What Trump's win could mean for Big Tech
Talking Points The tech industry is bracing itself for Trump's second administration
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Google Maps gets an AI upgrade to compete with Apple
Under the Radar The Google-owned Waze, a navigation app, will be getting similar upgrades
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Racist texts tell Black people in US to prepare for slavery
Speed Read Recipients in at least a dozen states have been told to prepare to 'pick cotton' on slave plantations
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will the introduction of AI change Apple's iPhone?
Today's Big Question 'Apple Intelligence' is set to be introduced on the iPhone 16 as part of iOS 18
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
FDA OKs Apple AirPods as OTC hearing aids
Speed read The approved software will turn Apple's AirPods Pro 2 headphones into over-the-counter hearing aids
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Will the Google antitrust ruling shake up the internet?
Today's Big Question And what does that mean for users?
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Apple unveils AI integration, ChatGPT partnership
Speed Read AI capabilities will be added to a bulked-up Siri and other apps, in partnership with OpenAI's ChatGPT
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published