China Smartphone Exports to US Fall 72% to 14-Year Low Amid Tariffs

Chinese shipments of Apple iPhones and other mobile devices to the U.S. have plummeted to their lowest levels since 2011, with smartphone exports falling by 72% to under $700 million in April due to U.S. tariffs reaching up to 145% on Chinese goods. This sharp decline reflects the disruption caused by the ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions, which have also led to a 21% overall drop in Chinese shipments to the U.S. Apple's response includes accelerating the shift of production to India, where phone component exports have quadrupled, although former President Trump has criticized this move and urged Apple to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., a prospect currently considered unfeasible. The broader trade war threatens the $690 billion bilateral trade relationship, raising concerns about long-term impacts on industries, inflation, and global supply chains. Additionally, recent U.S. sanctions on Huawei's AI chips have further strained trade talks, which remain tense despite ongoing negotiations. Major U.S. imports from China include smartphones, laptops, and lithium-ion batteries, while exports to China encompass petroleum products and semiconductor machinery, underscoring the complex economic interdependence affected by the tariffs.