AsianFin -- Chinese shipments of Apple’s iPhones and other smartphones to the U.S. plunged to their lowest point since 2011 in April, highlighting the significant impact of U.S. tariffs on trade between the world’s two largest economies.

According to customs data released Tuesday, smartphone exports fell 72% to just under $700 million last month, a much steeper decline compared to the overall 21% drop in Chinese exports to the U.S. This sharp downturn underscores how the Trump administration’s tariff measures—reaching as high as 145% on certain Chinese goods—have disrupted technology supply chains and pushed electronics exports toward other markets.

The ongoing trade tensions have raised concerns among investors about a prolonged global trade war that could severely cut into the $690 billion in bilateral trade recorded in 2024, hurting industries and driving up costs for consumers. The situation remains tense, with Beijing accusing the U.S. this week of undermining recent Geneva trade talks by imposing sanctions on Huawei’s AI chip business.