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Apple chartered six cargo flights to move 1.5 million iPhones from India to the US, aiming to mitigate new tariffs that have cut the company's value by $500B.
Apple chartered six cargo flights to transport 600 tonnes of iPhones from India to the US at the end of March, a tactical shift to circumvent escalating import tariffs [1]. The move underscores the company's struggle to manage a supply chain crisis that has seen its market value drop by $500 billion since early April [1].
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Cargo volume | 600 tonnes (approx. 1.5 million units) |
| Market value loss | $500 billion since April 2 |
| Berkshire stake | $60 billion (22% of equity portfolio) |
| Primary production | China (historical), India (expanding) |
The airlift, which involved six planes each with a 100-tonne capacity, was designed to "beat" incoming US tariffs [1]. To expedite the process, Apple negotiated a "green corridor" at Chennai airport, slashing customs clearance times from 30 hours to six [1]. This logistical pivot is part of a broader effort to ramp up US inventory as trade tensions intensify; China recently adjusted tariffs on US goods to 125% in response to the Trump administration’s 145% levy on Chinese imports [1].
While Apple is shifting more production to India—which exported over $17 billion in iPhones last year—analysts warn that moving manufacturing to the US is not a viable short-term solution [1]. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives estimates that domestic production could push the price of an iPhone from $1,000 to over $3,000, noting that such a transition would likely take until at least 2028 [1].
Despite the volatility, Apple remains the cornerstone of Berkshire Hathaway’s equity portfolio [2]. Even after trimming its position from 300 million to approximately 228 million shares, Berkshire retains a stake worth roughly $60 billion [2]. The investment firm continues to benefit from Apple’s aggressive share buyback program, which effectively increases Berkshire's ownership percentage without requiring additional capital [2]. Under new CEO Greg Abel, the holding is viewed as a foundation of conviction rather than a legacy position, though the company faces ongoing pressure to prove its competitiveness in artificial intelligence [2].
The central question remains whether Apple can sustain its current pricing and margins as it navigates a trade environment that threatens to upend its decades-old manufacturing model. With the company's stock down 15% since the latest tariff hikes, the upcoming earnings call will serve as a critical test of investor confidence in its long-term operational resilience [1].
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 4 outlets · Sep 18, 2026 · How we report
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