Trumps tariffs. Photo | courtesy.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Chinese imports could significantly increase iPhones prices, potentially making them unaffordable for many American users.
With the majority of Apple’s iPhones manufactured in China, the new tariffs if implemented could raise prices by as much as 30percent to 43percent.
This means the base model of the upcoming iPhone 16, which currently retails around $799, could jump to approximately $1,142.
Meanwhile, the premium iPhone 16 Pro Max could raise to a staggering $2,300.
Apple, which has long relied on its Chinese manufacturing partner Foxconn, would be directly impacted by the tariffs.
ALSO READ: Rubis Identifies Kenya as Its Most Challenging Market
The Trump administration argues that the tariffs are necessary to curb U.S dependence on Chinese manufacturing and to protect American industries.
“We’re bringing jobs back to America,” Trump said during a recent press briefing.
“For too long, we’ve allowed China to take advantage of our economy.” he added.
While the company has explored diversifying its supply chain to countries like India and Vietnam, much of its production still takes place in China.
Apple has not yet commented on the potential price hikes or whether it would absorb part of the tariff costs to shield consumers.
