Wait… Did Apple just dodge billions in tariffs overnight?
Did Trump really flip the global tech game while you were sleeping?
Something massive just happened in the world of trade, and it’s not just about taxes — it’s about power, strategy, and a whole lot of iPhones. Let’s unpack the twist that has Silicon Valley buzzing and supply chains scrambling.
Wake Up, Shake Up – The Trade Plot Thickens
1. I posted a story called “How One Overnight Move Flipped Global Tech and Trade – Ep. 1″—then went to sleep.
How One Overnight Move Flipped Global Tech and Trade – Ep. 2 (feat. Apple, iPhone, Trump, The Art of the Deal)
How One Overnight Move Flipped Global Tech and Trade (feat. Trump, Apple, Tariffs, iPhone, and India)
2. When I woke up? The world had shifted again.
3. Here’s the recap of that original post in a nutshell:
4. Trump announced that tariffs on electronics, smartphones, and semiconductor parts were being canceled.
5. Not only that, but even the standard 10% base tariff? Gone. These products will clear customs completely duty-free.
6. That’s right—zero tariffs across the board.
Apple’s Core Victory – Tariffs No More?
7. Since Apple manufactures 81% of its devices in China, it’s now the biggest winner in this change.
8. Samsung also got a spot on the winners’ list.
9. But here’s the twist: the fentanyl-related 20% tariff still applies.
10. So if Apple ships straight from China, that 20% fee sticks around.
11. But if the same iPhones come through India or Vietnam? No tariffs. Zip.
12. As for semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, they’re being reviewed separately.
13. We’ll need to keep an eye on how those play out.
14. I re-read the original post, and the core message still stands.
15. The separate tariff discussions for semiconductors are ongoing—it’s not a done deal yet.
Not-So-Heavy Metal – Lower Tariffs, Higher Stakes
16. Even with these separate tariffs, we’re not expecting anything wild like 145% duty.
17. For instance, iPhones made in India and iPads from Vietnam? Still exempt from tariffs.
18. But if they come from China, they still get hit with the 20% fentanyl tariff—and could face extra duties down the road.
19. Apple makes about 220 million iPhones a year. 81% are made in China, and 19% in India.
20. India had a real advantage before with its low 26% tariff compared to China’s steep 125%.
21. That’s why many thought Apple would fully crank up its Indian production.
22. But now that tariffs are off the table, that edge doesn’t matter anymore.
23. So yes, this part actually changed.
24. If Apple builds in China, they still pay 20% tariffs.
25. But if they manufacture in India or Vietnam? For now, it’s tariff-free.
Trump Talks Tough – But What’s the Bluff?
26. On April 14, Trump shared a post saying:
“What I announced last Friday (April 11) isn’t a tariff exemption. These products are still under the 20% fentanyl tariff. We’re just moving them into a different tariff bucket. We’re also launching a national security tariff review to look at the entire electronics and semiconductor supply chain. We need to make these products in the U.S.—we won’t let foreign countries hold us hostage. Especially not hostile ones who use all their power to push America around.”
27. In short, Trump is doubling down on two things:
28. He wants everything made in the U.S.
29. And he’s not softening up on China anytime soon.
30. The tariff-free status for Apple’s Indian and Vietnamese goods? Probably temporary.
31. Even if the duties aren’t as high as China’s, they’re likely coming.
The Art of the Deal – Still Trump’s Wheel
32. Back in 1987, Trump released The Art of the Deal, where he laid out 11 deal-making strategies.
33. And if you go through them now, you’ll start to see why he acts the way he does.
Shout Loud, Step Back: The Trump Trade Tango
Trump isn’t just throwing out wild trade moves for the drama — he’s following a very specific playbook. Start with something extreme. Get everyone’s attention. Create pressure.
Then? Ease up just a little. Not enough to back down, but just enough to control the narrative. It’s classic Trump: go big, act bold, and negotiate from the edge of the cliff. It might look chaotic on the surface, but underneath, it’s a carefully timed strategy — part show, part shuffle, all power play. Whether you love it or hate it, the trade game just got a whole lot more… theatrical.
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