Apple Stores across the United States are seeing a notable increase in customer traffic as people rush to buy iPhones and other Apple products before potential price hikes caused by new tariffs announced by President Trump. With concerns rising over upcoming tariff impacts, many customers are seeking to purchase devices ahead of time, fearing higher costs due to the imposition of tariffs on imports from China and India.
The tariffs, set to be 34% on products imported from China and 26% on those from India, are expected to affect Apple’s pricing. Since much of the company’s manufacturing is based in these countries, consumers are eager to avoid paying more for their favorite gadgets. Despite the heightened demand, Apple has not provided official guidance to retail employees on how to manage the growing number of customer inquiries about price increases, leaving many consumers anxious.
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In an attempt to handle the situation, Apple is reportedly flying planes full of products from China and India to maintain stock levels and stabilize prices. These efforts are designed to ensure that product prices remain unaffected for now, but uncertainty surrounding future price hikes continues to drive consumer urgency.
In response to the tariff challenges, Apple is also exploring expanding its operations in Brazil, where a 10% tariff is significantly lower than those imposed on China and India. This expansion could help mitigate some of the price increases by diversifying manufacturing locations. Meanwhile, Apple’s stock price has already dropped by more than 18% due to the uncertainty, with other US companies facing similar declines.
