iPhone shipments from China to U.S. hit decade low as Apple shifts production strategy

A dramatic fall in smartphone exports from China to the U.S. is signaling a deeper transformation in the global tech supply chain, driven by Apple’s ongoing production realignment and escalating trade barriers. In April, mobile device shipments from China to the U.S. dropped to levels not seen since 2011, reflecting both economic friction and Apple's shift away from its historic manufacturing base.

The plunge comes amid rising efforts by Apple to scale up iPhone production outside China—most notably in India, where the company has significantly ramped up output. Apple’s India-based manufacturing hit $22 billion in value over the last fiscal year, and the company is expected to route the majority of U.S.-bound iPhones from Indian factories within the next year.

Meanwhile, political tensions are adding new layers of complexity. During a recent visit to Qatar, former President Donald Trump disclosed a conversation with Tim Cook, expressing concern over Apple’s deepening ties to India’s manufacturing sector. The remarks signal the ongoing scrutiny Apple faces from American leadership over where and how its products are made.

Apple has remained focused on building a more resilient supply chain. CEO Tim Cook reiterated that concentrating production in a single country poses too much risk—a lesson the company began acting on well before recent geopolitical developments. The shift is not just about avoiding tariffs or appeasing regulators; it’s about future-proofing a business that operates on a global scale.

As the numbers from China drop sharply, the long-term ripple effects are beginning to take shape. Apple’s decisions are not just altering its own production map—they’re reshaping global trade flows in the tech industry.