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[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] WASHINGTON – For the first time, India has become the largest exporter of smartphones to the U.S., overtaking China, as global tech companies accelerate supply chain diversification in response to President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.



According to Canalys data cited by CNBC on July 29, India’s share of U.S. smartphone imports surged from 13% in Q2 2023 to 44% in Q2 2024. By contrast, China’s share plummeted from 61% to 25%, falling behind Vietnam (30%). Overall, smartphones assembled in India jumped 240% year-on-year.



Industry analysts attribute the surge largely to Apple’s strategic shift of production to India. Once heavily reliant on Chinese manufacturing, Apple began relocating its iPhone production base during Trump’s first term to mitigate trade war risks. This year, Apple aims to produce most iPhones sold in the U.S. at Indian plants and plans for a quarter of total iPhones to be manufactured in India within a few years.



China remains the prime target of the Trump administration’s tariff campaign, with high duties imposed on Chinese goods prompting global manufacturers to restructure their supply chains. President Trump has even hinted at additional tariffs if Apple fails to bring iPhone production to the U.S.



CNBC noted that the shift marks a clear sign of “de-Chinafication” of global manufacturing supply chains, driven by tariff-induced uncertainty.

 

 

 

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