Apple is facing two major threats to its business, but nobody seems worried

Apple is starting to feel some impact from the new U.S. administration’s shifting priorities in the global landscape, especially around economic issues like tariffs. Here are the two major threats Apple is facing, and why investors don’t actually seem to be worried.

Tariffs and antitrust investigations could have big impact, but probably won’t

Apple is at the center of shifting geopolitical relations between the U.S. and several countries including China, Mexico, and more.

A new Mark Gurman report at Bloomberg points out how there are two major threats:

1. a 10% tariff on imports from China
2. and a possible App Store antitrust investigation from the Chinese government

There are other possible threats, including tariffs involving other countries, and on chips made in Taiwan. But these two stand out as potentially the most financially painful for Apple.

And yet, by all appearances, Apple and Wall Street don’t seem to be worried.

Apple’s stock is down a bit for the year, but not to the degree of some of its competitors.

And for the most part, investors seem pleased with the company’s performance and future outlook.

Apple’s guidance for its next financial quarter was well received.

It’s almost as if Apple and Wall Street saw the current landscape coming, and are optimistic about solutions.

Perhaps this is because during President Trump’s first term, Apple got a tariff exemption. And because despite the U.S. and China’s heated relationship during that term, Apple was able to avoid much harm itself.

Apple’s larger potential threat

Gurman’s piece highlights one concern from his colleague:

“The hardware part is not the worrisome part — it’s the backlash toward Apple because of an increase of anti-US rhetoric,” said Bloomberg Intelligence technology analyst Anurag Rana. “The bigger issue is the scrutiny of the App Store, which is a longer-term problem for one of the company’s most profitable businesses.”

If Apple does start getting associated with any fresh anti-U.S. sentiment, that could certainly make its current China struggles seem small compared to the potential long-term hit. And it could sway the outcome of any potential App Store inquiry.

Overall though, while things could always change in a moment, right now Apple’s two big looming threats don’t appear to have teeth.

Do you think Apple will be impacted much by tariffs and App Store investigations? Let us know in the comments.

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