Washington: The new tariff policy of America under the leadership of Donald Trump has created a stir in global trade. Just before the implementation of this policy, tech giant Apple has surprised everyone by sending a large number of iPhones and other gadgets to the US from India through five planes. The Trump administration has imposed a 10 percent import duty on foreign products from April 5, due to which Apple took this step. This incident is not only a part of business strategy, but also tells a new story of change in the global supply chain.
Planes flew from India, a way to avoid tariffs
According to various media reports, five cargo planes left for the US from India within just three days in the last week of March. These planes were loaded with Apple’s latest iPhone models and other electronic devices. Sources say that the company planned to rapidly deliver the products from its factories located in India and China to the US, so that the financial losses caused by the new tariff rules could be minimized.

A senior Apple official said on the condition of anonymity, “We knew that the tariffs would come into effect from April 5. So we decided to send products from our manufacturing unit in India to the US as soon as possible.” Apple’s production in India has grown rapidly in recent years, and the company is trying to make it a strong base of its global business.
Trump’s policy and Apple’s strategy
The Trump administration took a tough stand on import duty as soon as it came to power for the second time. The US President recently addressed the Congress and said, “India, China, the European Union and many other countries impose heavy duty on our products, while we do not do so. This is unfair. Now we are implementing a reciprocal tariff policy. If a product is not made in America, it will have to pay tariff.” Trump termed it a “customs weapon” and promised to end the decades-old trade inequality.
Under this policy, import duty on foreign products has been implemented from April 2, but Apple took timely action and sent its products to the US before the tariff came into effect. Experts believe that this step can save the company millions of dollars.

No impact on prices, but questions remain

At present, there is no direct impact of this tariff on American iPhone buyers. There is no news of price hike in the Indian and Chinese markets either. James Howard, a New York tech analyst, said, “Apple had already prepared its supply chain in such a way that it can withstand the shock of tariffs. But how effective this strategy will be in the long run remains to be seen.”

On the other hand, Ramesh Sharma, an Apple dealer in India, said, “We have enough stock right now. Customers do not need to worry about price hikes.” However, experts say that if the tariff policy continues for a long time, Apple may have to change its prices or production strategy.

Why has India become a favorite destination?

Apple’s increasing focus on India is not a coincidence. In recent years, the company has increased production in India to reduce its dependence on China. A large number of iPhones are now being produced from factories built in states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Trump’s policy has further accelerated this change. A trade expert said, “India’s cheap labour force and growing technical capabilities are proving beneficial for Apple. This move is not only to avoid tariffs but is also part of a future strategy.”

The way forward

Trump’s tariff policy and Apple’s retaliation have once again highlighted the complexities of global trade. Will this policy strengthen the US economy or force companies to look for new ways? This question remains unanswered. But one thing is certain—these five planes that flew from India not only brought gadgets but also brought with them the story of the changing equation of global trade.