US slashes tariffs on Indian electronics—iPhones now 20% cheaper than China’s. Experts say this is a big boost for Apple, exports, and India’s rise as a global tech hub.
The United States has removed additional import duties on several electronics. This makes iPhones, laptops, smartphones, and tablets exported from India around 20 per cent cheaper than those from China, according to the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA).
This tariff relief, announced on Saturday, offers India and Vietnam a significant edge in the US market. ICEA stated that while China still faces a 20 per cent tariff on many electronics, India and Vietnam enjoy zero-duty status on key items.
ICEA Chairman Pankaj Mohindroo highlighted that Apple and other electronics manufacturers in India will benefit directly. Vietnam, a major exporter of Samsung devices, is similarly positioned. The policy shift is expected to boost exports and support large-scale production in India.
ICEA, which represents key players like Apple, Foxconn, and Dixon, said Apple’s export ecosystem from India is among the country’s largest job creators. In FY 2024–25, mobile phone exports surged to ₹2 trillion, up 55 per cent year-on-year. iPhones accounted for ₹1.5 trillion of that total, according to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Previously, reciprocal tariffs under the Trump administration had cast doubt over Apple’s operations in China and India. The new US decision lifts duties on items such as smartphones, laptops, hard drives, monitors, and some chips. However, equipment for chip manufacturing is still taxed.
Industry leaders view this move as a strategic, not sweeping, policy change. Despite ongoing trade uncertainties, IESA President Ashok Chandak said it creates a critical chance for India to become a major global electronics hub.
According to a report by The Economic Times, experts suggest that the decision signals stability in the supply chain, especially for brands like Apple. While reshoring production to the US remains a long-term goal, India is now seen as a strong alternative for global manufacturing.
