KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia extended its uptrend for a third consecutive day on Friday, closing higher on renewed buying interest amid positive regional market performance due to potential de-escalating US-China trade tensions. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 2.68 points, or 0.18 per cent, to 1,509.20 from Thursday’s close of 1,506.52. The benchmark index opened 5.12 points better at 1,511.64, and moved between 1,505.68 and 1,512.29 throughout the day. Market breadth was positive, with advancers beating decliners 651 to 325, while 434 counters were unchanged, 1,047 untraded, and 39 suspended. Turnover improved to 3.10 billion units valued at RM1.95 billion against Thursday’s 3.08 billion units valued at RM2.14 billion.
The Trump administration wants Apple to move iPhone production back to the U.S.—but experts say, not so fast.
On Tuesday, the White House confirmed a 104% tariff on goods imported from China. That hit Apple hard. Its stock dropped nearly 5%, and analysts began calculating how much more an iPhone might cost if made in America.
The shocking answer? Around $3,500. That’s more than triple the current price.
Why Moving Production Isn’t Easy
Apple still builds most iPhones in China. Even though the company is slowly shifting some production to India and Vietnam, nearly every part of the iPhone is made outside the U.S.
Changing all that would take years and billions of dollars. According to experts:
Supply chains are complex and deeply rooted overseas.
Shifting manufacturing would take 5 to 10 years—if it’s even possible.
Advanced manufacturing skills and facilities are not yet available in the U.S. at the needed scale.
What the White House Says
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Apple should “absolutely” manufacture iPhones in the U.S., pointing to the company’s $500 billion U.S. investment.
But that investment isn’t all about making iPhones. It includes:
A server plant in Texas
A new academy in Michigan
Expanded data centers and TV production across 20 states
So far, Apple hasn’t responded publicly to the administration’s suggestion.
What’s at Stake
If Apple is pushed to move production too quickly, it could:
Disrupt its business model
Raise prices for customers
Trigger a wave of changes across the tech industry
Analysts say Apple may try to shift some production to the U.S. over time, but it needs stability in trade policy to plan long-term.
Final Thoughts
Apple CEO Tim Cook is likely weighing the risks. After decades of global trade policies that supported outsourcing, this sudden shift toward heavy tariffs and protectionism is a major curveball.
For now, expect iPhone prices to rise—and Apple to play a careful balancing act between politics, profits, and production.
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