The news: Smartphone shipments to the US spiked 30% YoY in March, driven by manufacturers racing to sidestep tariffs announced in April by the Trump administration. 

Apple led all manufacturers with a 42% YoY jump in shipments as the company stockpiled iPhones before tariffs hit, while Samsung saw a modest 4% increase in total. Overall US device inventories increased by 51% YoY for March, per Counterpoint.

The US imposes a 30% tariff on most Chinese imports (reduced from 145% temporarily), 46% on Vietnamese imports, and no new tariffs on Indian imports as of May 2025, though negotiations with India are ongoing.

Tariffs alter market dynamics: Manufacturers rushing to push device shipments is the latest sign of the long-term economic effects of tariffs. Shipment volumes from key smartphone-exporting countries China, India, and Vietnam increased, but the mix of shipments saw some changes.

• Tariffs accelerated a shift in manufacturing away from China. Devices made in India accounted for 26% of US shipments in Q1, up 62.5% YoY.
• Motorola tripled its India-made shipments, and Samsung leaned on India for its Galaxy A16.
• Vietnam also contributed to the March spike, though its trade future remains uncertain as the tariff situation could change.

Apple’s move to India pays off: Apple, which has led the shift away from Chinese production, has clearly benefited in the short term from its early investments in India and Vietnam, but the India pipeline is getting pushback from President Donald Trump. 

• On Thursday, Trump said he told Apple CEO Tim Cook, “You’re building all over India. I don’t want you building in India,” per The Guardian. 
• Trump stated Apple would “up production in the US” but gave no details.

Apple’s diversified supply chain took years to develop—successfully replicating that in the US would be expensive and take time.

Our take: Tariffs have been blunted by shifting production from China to India and Vietnam. But if companies like Apple are forced to change course by reducing production in India to refocus on US factories, expect price hikes and supply chain disruptions.

Go further: For more information, read our comprehensive impact of tariffs coverage.