You could soon be paying more for your favourite Apple products, as new US tariffs are set to come into effect on August 1, targeting items made in Southeast Asia. The move is part of President Donald Trump’s latest wave of trade restrictions, with Apple’s Macs and Apple Watches among the tech goods most at risk.
The White House has sent official notices to at least 14 countries, including Thailand and Malaysia, outlining plans to raise tariffs on goods imported from these regions. Since Apple manufactures a portion of its Macs and Apple Watches in both countries, these products will now face tariffs of up to 36%. This change could mean a noticeable price increase for American consumers like you.
Apple’s recent strategy to move some of its production out of China to minimise risks from ongoing US-China tensions may not help in this case. As it turns out, this shift has landed Apple squarely in the middle of another round of tariffs, this time from different countries.
Apple’s global production hit by expanding tariffs
For years, Apple has been working on reducing its dependence on Chinese factories. You’ve probably seen headlines about Apple setting up plants in India, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. But these efforts to build a more diverse supply chain may now be caught off guard by the widening scope of the Trump administration’s trade policy.
The tariffs targeting Thailand and Malaysia mean that key devices, such as the MacBook and Apple Watch, could soon become more expensive in the US. You may be paying significantly more for your next Apple upgrade, depending on how these new costs are passed along to consumers.
Experts warn that this could be the beginning of a trend. More countries are expected to be affected by similar measures in the coming days, and additional Apple products may be included in the tariff net, including the all-important iPhone.
Higher iPhone prices could be on the way
Even though Singapore is not affected by the new tariffs as of now, don’t assume you’ll be safe from rising costs. Industry experts suggest that Apple may be compelled to raise prices across multiple regions to offset the increased production costs and import duties elsewhere.
According to analysts, iPhone prices could surge by as much as 43% if tariffs are extended to cover smartphones or if production shifts don’t offset the impact. That’s a significant jump—one that could seriously affect your purchasing decisions.
If you’re planning to upgrade your Apple device soon, you might want to do it before August 1, when the new tariffs take effect. Otherwise, you could end up paying far more for the same tech.
