Share

Apple says proposed China tariffs will boost product prices

Apple, the world’s most valuable company, said proposed US tariffs on $200bn worth of products imported from China will raise prices for some of its popular consumer goods such as the Apple Watch and AirPods headphones.

The Mac mini desktop computer, Apple Pencil stylus accessory for iPads, various chargers and adapters and tooling equipment used to manufacturer and design some products in the US will also be affected, the Cupertino, California-based company told the Office of US Trade Representative in a letter dated September 5.

The US has imposed $50bn worth of tariffs on Chinese goods with another $200bn in the final stages. The public had until Thursday to comment on the administration’s plan. US President Donald Trump said Friday he is considering another $267bn of tariffs on China, which analysts said will affect virtually every category of consumer goods, to retaliate against what he calls unfair trade practices.

“Our concern with these tariffs is that the US will be hardest hit, and that will result in lower US growth and competitiveness and higher prices for US consumers,” Apple said in its letter.

Apple outlined how the company’s operations and products will be affected by the tariffs. Shares, which had earlier gained 1%, fell about 0.8% to close at $221.30 on the news.

The company said the tariffs would “show up as a tax on US consumers” and “increase the cost of Apple products that our customers have come to rely on in their daily lives.” Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook earlier this year told Trump tariffs “were not the right approach".

In the letter, Apple asks the US government to “reconsider these measures and work to find other, more effective solutions that leave the US economy and US consumer stronger and healthier than ever before.”

Beyond the core products, Apple said accessories like the HomePod speaker, some Beats speakers, AirPort and Time Capsule internet routers, the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad, and leather cases for the iPhone, iPad, MacBook and Apple Pencil would be affected. It said some of the parts it relies on for product development, including processors and research equipment, would also be hit by the tariffs.

In pushing back on the proposal, Apple said it bought more than $50bn worth of components from US-based suppliers last year and that it’s the largest US corporate tax payer. It also said that every Apple product “contains parts or materials from the United States and is made with equipment from US-based suppliers.” Earlier this year, the company said that as part of tax reform it would spend $350bn in the U.S. over the next five years.

Apple generated $9.6bn in sales in China in the fiscal third quarter, accounting for 18% of its total revenue in the period.

* Sign up to Fin24's top news in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TO FIN24 NEWSLETTER

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.0%
Rand - Pound
23.90
+0.0%
Rand - Euro
20.41
+0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.33
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.0%
Platinum
908.05
+1.2%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders