Apple's $9.1B Trade Slides to 7th in Market Activity as India Production Shift Gains Momentum

On August 19, 2025, Apple (AAPL) traded with a 0.14% decline, its daily volume reaching $9.1 billion, ranking seventh in market activity. The tech giant is accelerating production of its iPhone 17 lineup in India, with all four U.S.-bound models set to be manufactured in the country for the first time. This shift spans five Indian facilities, including newly operational plants, as part of a strategy to reduce reliance on Chinese manufacturing amid U.S. trade policies. Bloomberg reports that Tata Group is projected to handle up to half of India’s iPhone output within two years, solidifying its role as a key production partner.

The production expansion aligns with Apple’s broader efforts to diversify its supply chain. India’s iPhone exports surged to $7.5 billion between April and July 2025, compared to $17 billion for the prior fiscal year. Despite a 25% U.S. tariff on Indian goods linked to Russian oil imports, consumer electronics—including iPhones—remain exempt. CEO Tim Cook has pledged a $600 billion U.S. investment over four years to secure these exemptions while scaling India’s engineering and testing capabilities. However, challenges persist, including China’s resistance to technology transfers and Foxconn’s repatriation of Chinese engineers, prompting Apple to rely on talent from Taiwan and Japan.

Apple’s India strategy, initiated in 2017 with the iPhone SE, has evolved into a core component of its global supply chain. The company is now planning production for the iPhone 17e and 18 models in the region, despite ongoing trade uncertainties. While U.S.-China tensions drive diversification, the long-term viability of India’s manufacturing role will depend on geopolitical dynamics and the Trump administration’s evolving tariff policies.

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