China’s Smartphone Exports to US Fall Sharply Amid Tariff Pressures
Chinese smartphone exports to the United States dropped to their lowest level since 2011 in April 2025, signaling growing tension in US-China trade relations. According to China’s customs data, smartphone shipments—including Apple iPhones—fell by 72% to just under $700 million, a sharper decline than the 21% overall drop in Chinese exports to the US. The steep fall reflects the impact of increased tariffs imposed by the US government, which are discouraging the import of high-value tech products.
The US had recently introduced tariffs as high as 145% on certain Chinese goods, disrupting the technology supply chain and pushing manufacturers to explore other markets. Meanwhile, China accused the US of undermining global trade talks in Geneva, particularly due to sanctions on Huawei’s AI chips.
In 2024, smartphones, laptops, and lithium-ion batteries were among the top Chinese exports to the US. However, with rising trade barriers, companies like Apple are shifting production elsewhere. Exports of phone components to India—now Apple’s key iPhone production hub outside China—have quadrupled over the past year. Despite US calls for Apple to manufacture locally, iPhones have never been made in the US, and such a move remains unlikely in the near future due to logistical and economic challenges.
Source: The Economic Times
