Donald Trump has once again taken a firm step in the tariff war against Apple and this time it seems to be definitive and, worst of all, is that it will affect our pocket. The arrival of the iPhone 17 could be accompanied by not pleasant news for customers: A price increase.
On this occasion, it is not a new filtration or a recent rumor, but a reality derived from Donald Trump's commercial policy. The American president has confirmed that at the end of June 2025 A 25% tariff will enter into force Above all the smartphones imported to the United States, fully affecting Apple and the iPhone.
25% confirmed tariffs
During his first stage at the White House, Trump had already pressed Apple to transfer the manufacture of its devices to the United States. At that time, the company managed to avoid it through negotiations that Tim Cook himself led, achieving tariff exemptions that allowed him to maintain his global strategy without major changes. But this time, everything indicates that it will not be so.
According to the president's recent statements, the new rate will be applied to all brands equally, without exceptions. Neither Apple nor the rest of the manufacturers can dodge the tariff if their products import from abroad. “When they manufacture here, there will be no fee,” Trump said, suggesting that any other option will be penalized. What seems like a measure to foster the national industry, actually collides with the harsh reality: the United States lacks the necessary infrastructure, qualified labor and competitive production costs that do have China or Indiausual manufacturing venues of technological products.
Apple knows it, and that's why it has been reinforcing its presence in India for years. According to the latest data revealed by the company itself, about 50% of the iPhone sold in the US. During the second quarter of 2025 they were manufactured there. The diversification strategy worked as an emergency measure to avoid more aggressive rates, such as 145% imposed on products from China. However, the new Trump tariff does not distinguish between countries of origin and It will be 25% for everyone.
Tariff consequences
And here the consequences come. Apple has already estimated in May that it would have to allocate 900 million dollars only in that quarter to mitigate the impact of existing tariffs. With this new scenario, that figure will fall short. In addition, since the mass production of the iPhone 17 traditionally begins in July or August, there are no stored units that can serve to fall temporary. That is, the new iPhone will arrive on the market with a surcharge that can hardly be absorbed by Apple without affecting the final consumer.
This way, The iPhone 17 will be remarkably more expensive In the United States. This could stop the demand, especially in a saturated market where the renewal cycle has been extending over the years. We will also see if Samsung or Google benefit, as long as they manage to manufacture in the United States or achieve special conditions.
As if that were not enough, this measure could trigger a new commercial war, since increasing tariffs on technological products Not only does it affect companiesbut also millions of consumers. The global digital economy is too interconnected to think that a single nation can force the return of production to its territory.
