“It is no longer logical to raise prices.” Apple, caught between US rates and China addiction

Despite a 90 -day break in applying the new tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump, who offered a mouthful of companies and investors, Apple's technological giant seems to have not benefited from the same treatment. The massive dependence of the company in Cupertino on the China supply chains is left directly exposed to the intensification of commercial stresses, given that the cumulative fare of the US on Chinese goods has reached a record level of 145%, CNBC reports, according to News.ro.

“Apple could be given back with years because of these rates,” said Dan Iives, the global technology research chief at Wedbush Secrities, in an interview for CNBC. He compared the situation of the company with an ocean -reversed boat “without rescue collage”.

Although Apple has been trying for years to diversify their production outside China, OMDIA data shows that almost 80% of the 77 million iPhone delivered to the US have been manufactured in China. According to the estimates of the research company, in the context of current rates, Apple should increase the prices of phones from China by about 85% to maintain its profit margins.

“When the rates were at 54%, the impact was serious, but still manageable … but, at the current level, it is no longer financially logical to increase prices,” explained Le Xuan Chiew, research manager at Omdia.

In an attempt to reduce the tariff impact, Apple would have sent about 600 tons of India to the US, the equivalent of up to 1.5 million units, before Trump's new rates, according to Reuters and The Times of India. Apple and its production partners did not respond to the press requests on this subject.

Few viable options

According to Chiew, preventive storage would have been one of the few fast solutions to earn time, but it is not clear how much these reserves will be able to support the increasing demand, determined by the fear of consumers that prices will increase.

The medium-term strategy of the company aims to reduce exposure to geopolitical and tariff risks, by extending the production of iPhone to India. The local production of Pro and Pro Max models only started last year, and experts estimate that it could take between one and two years to reach a sufficient capacity.

The most realistic option for Apple, say analysts, is to ask for an exemption from new rates for imported products from China, while continuing diversification efforts. During the first Trump term, the company obtained certain concessions, and some believe this could be repeated.

“I still see a tariff relaxation potential, as part of Apple's $ 500 billion for the American economy,” said Daniel Newman, CEO of The Futurum Group. Apple announced in February that it will invest this amount in the US, creating 20,000 jobs.

However, Trump has repeatedly said Apple should produce iPhones in the US, although analysts are skeptical. According to Dan Iives, an iPhone manufactured in America could cost $ 3,500, compared to the current standard price of about $ 1,000.

Even in the event of a commercial agreement or partial exemption, analysts warn that the impact on the company will remain significant.

“Suppose that some relaxation follows, either a reduction in mutual tariffs, or a special exemption for Apple. It would not solve the problem. Even a 10% basic fare is a huge challenge for Apple,” said Craig Mofftt, co -founder of Moffttnhanson.