THE price of Apple's iPhone smartphone could soar and even reach the price of a car if the tariffs imposed by the United States (US) continue to be increased.
Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, said components for the iPhone come from all over the world, including chips from Taiwan, screens from South Korea, batteries from China, modems and memory from the US, storage from Japan and cameras from various countries, which are ultimately assembled in China.
"Recently, the US gave exemptions to smartphone and computer components, especially from China. Our iPhone fans are relieved for a moment, but we don't know how long this exemption will last because Trump can raise tariffs again at any time," he said in a video on Facebook.
Previously, international media reported that iPhone prices were expected to increase between 30 and 43 percent following the US's tariff decision on countries that trade with it.
According to the report, if the tariffs continue, Apple will face a difficult choice of whether to bear the costs or pass them on to consumers.
Last Saturday, the US reportedly exempted smartphones, computer screens, chips and electronic components from being subject to tariffs and this applies to all electronic goods exported to the US.
This move was taken after the Trump administration imposed a minimum tariff of 145 percent on goods from China exported to the US.
Commenting further, Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia was also an important component of the global supply chain and among the country's main exports were semiconductors.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, Ford's vehicle factory was forced to stop operations because it could not obtain chip supplies from Malaysia. – April 17, 2025
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