Apple is strategically positioning itself to mitigate the impact of upcoming tariffs announced by President Donald Trump. As these tariffs will affect nearly every country, many businesses are understandably anxious. However, according to industry expert Mark Gurman, Apple has prepared in advance for such challenges.
The company has stockpiled a significant inventory of products in the U.S. over recent months. This means that when the tariffs take effect on April 9, Apple will still be able to sell items at pre-tariff prices due to this backlog. Despite this temporary solution, the looming price increases associated with the tariffs are expected to adversely affect the upcoming launch of the iPhone 17 models.
Consumers are likely to focus on the price tags rather than the broader economic implications. The inventory that Apple has built up might represent the final opportunity for U.S. consumers to purchase products manufactured in China, given that the country is now facing a steep 54 percent tariff rate. Consequently, Apple is expected to pivot more of its production efforts toward countries like India and Vietnam.
While the stockpile provides a momentary respite from tariff pressures, it will not last indefinitely. Once this inventory is depleted, Apple will face the necessity of raising prices for new releases, including the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air. This could potentially lead to one of the first significant price increases in years for base iPhone models.
Ultimately, the average consumer will likely only see the increased prices without understanding the complexities of the situation. Thus, while Apple has created a buffer, the long-term challenges associated with tariffs remain unresolved, and the impact on sales could be significant.