LONDON — The cost of buying an iPhone is expected to surge by hundreds of pounds in the coming months, as Apple finds itself caught in the crossfire of a deepening global trade war.

Industry analysts have warned that escalating tariffs imposed by the United States and retaliatory measures by China could cause the price of an iPhone 16 Pro—currently retailing at £999 in the UK—to rise by as much as £400. In the United States, some forecasts suggest the price could as much as triple.

The root of the crisis lies in the intricate global supply chain behind Apple’s flagship product. While most iPhones are assembled in China, components are sourced from nearly 50 countries worldwide—many of which have now been hit with tariffs by the Biden administration in a continuation of former President Donald Trump’s protectionist trade policies.

On Tuesday, China further inflamed tensions by introducing new tariffs on American goods, in response to Washington’s increasingly aggressive stance. President Trump, speaking at a White House event, announced a 90-day pause on most tariffs—excluding those targeting China, which he said were necessary due to Beijing’s retaliatory actions. The new Chinese levies now stand at a staggering 125%.

“I thought people were getting a little yippie—afraid,” Trump said, referencing what appeared to be a golfing metaphor for panic. “The bond market right now is beautiful,” he added, attempting to allay investor fears after markets reacted nervously.

Apple’s stock price has already taken a hit amid the uncertainty, allowing Microsoft to temporarily reclaim its position as the world’s most valuable company.

While the UK has not imposed its own tariffs, experts believe Apple is unlikely to maintain separate regional pricing structures, making it probable that any U.S. price hike will be reflected globally. “Tim Cook will want to keep the pricing model consistent worldwide,” one analyst told MailOnline.

During Trump’s first term, Apple CEO Tim Cook managed to secure key exemptions for certain Chinese-made Apple products like smartwatches. However, with the iPhone now at the symbolic center of this economic standoff, Cook may face an uphill battle.

The iPhone represents one of the most complex and globalized supply chains in the tech industry. According to Apple’s own supplier disclosures, 84% of iPhone component suppliers have operational links to mainland China. Taiwan and Singapore rank as the second and third most common supplier locations, but lag far behind China.

Apple’s processors are manufactured by Taiwan’s TSMC, while screens are supplied predominantly by South Korean firms Samsung and LG. Camera modules are sourced from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, and batteries and sensors come from suppliers in the U.S., France, Germany, and across East Asia.

Assembly of the device remains heavily concentrated in China, which accounts for roughly 80% of total production. India contributes around 10-15%, while Vietnam handles most of the remainder.

As geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt trade flows, experts warn that consumers worldwide could be forced to bear the cost of the tech world’s most iconic product becoming a bargaining chip in a high-stakes global economic feud.