Apple usa seis aviões para levar 1,5 milhão de iPhones da Índia aos EUA e evitar tarifa de Trump - Estadão

Apple's Strategic iPhone Shipment

Apple employed a secretive strategy to circumvent Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods by chartering six cargo planes to transport approximately 1.5 million iPhones from India to the United States.

Circumventing Tariffs

This maneuver allowed Apple to avoid substantial surcharges of up to 125% on imports from China, its primary manufacturing base. The operation involved approximately 600 tons of iPhones, with planes commencing operations in March, culminating in a flight the same week new tariffs took effect.

Global Supply Chain Restructuring

This action highlights the ongoing restructuring of the global technology supply chain due to US-China trade tensions. Analysts had previously warned of Apple's heavy reliance on China and the associated financial risks. The tariffs could have raised the price of a basic iPhone 16 from US$799 to US$1,637.95.

India's Role

The decision to ship from India leveraged the lower 26% tariff on Indian products. Even with Trump's 90-day tariff suspension for non-Chinese countries (with a universal 10% tax remaining), China faced the full weight of the surcharges.

• Apple negotiated with Indian airport authorities in Chennai to expedite customs clearance, reducing processing time from 30 hours to 6.
• Foxconn's major Indian factory in Chennai increased production by 20%, even operating on Sundays.
• Foxconn produced 20 million iPhones in India in the previous year, with 20% of US iPhone imports now originating from India.
• Besides Foxconn, Tata's partnership with Apple contributes to India's increasing role in iPhone manufacturing.

Financial Impact and International Response

Exports from Foxconn in India to the US significantly increased in 2024. Chinese officials criticized Trump's tariffs, while the US president stated the policy aimed to encourage trade renegotiations and protect domestic industries.