Will iPhones get pricier? Trump doubles India goods tariff to 50 per cent but spares Apple

India Today

7 hours ago

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order slapping an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports in response to the country's ongoing purchases of Russian oil, effectively doubling the total tariff to a hefty 50 per cent. The new levy, which will take effect in 21 days, is set to pile on top of an existing country-specific 25 per cent duty. In a fiery interview with CNBC, Trump accused India of bankrolling Russia's war machine. 'They're fueling the war machine,' he said, reiterating his long-standing threat to punish countries that continue energy trade with Moscow.advertisementThe move forms part of a sweeping wave of tariff hikes under the Trump administration's latest trade policy playbook. As of Thursday, India's initial 25 per cent import tariff kicks in, one of many fresh duties affecting goods from nearly 200 countries, with rates ranging from 10 per cent to 50 per cent. Even Switzerland isn't being spared, with tariffs on its exports to the US set to rise by up to 39 per cent.But there's a notable, and perhaps surprising, exception to the tariff storm: Apple. According to a White House official, the tech giant's core product line, including iPhones and other devices powered by semiconductors, will be exempt from both the immediate 25 per cent duty and the upcoming oil-related surcharge.
Instead, Apple's devices are expected to be covered under a separate tariff framework, details of which are yet to be announced. That means, for now, your iPhone won't come with a Trump tax.Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, appeared at the White House on Wednesday as news of the tariffs broke. Cook is scheduled to meet with President Trump this afternoon and is expected to announce an eye-watering $100 billion boost to Apple's US manufacturing investments, a top-up to its previously pledged $500 billion.While Apple gets a breather, Trump made it clear that the next wave of tariffs could bite even harder elsewhere. He floated the idea of 100 per cent duties on all chips and semiconductors imported into the US, a move that could send shockwaves across the global electronics industry.And that's not all. Pharmaceutical imports are also on Trump's radar, with plans for new tariffs that could eventually balloon to a staggering 250 per cent. 'We're going after sectors that matter,' he said, signalling a broader pivot towards targeting strategic industries.So, will iPhones get more expensive? For now, the answer is no. While almost everything else made in India faces a sharp hike in import duties, Apple seems to have dodged the tariff bullet, at least temporarily.But with Trump's tariff policy still evolving, and with more sector-specific duties looming on the horizon, it remains to be seen how long the exemption lasts. One thing's for sure: when it comes to trade wars, not even your smartphone is entirely safe.- EndsTune In