Is it worth buying as soon as possible?

Rarely a fall in markets such as the one that takes place in the last hours. The prices announced by Donald Trump last week had a seismic effect In bags around the world, from Europe to the United States, passing through China. The American administration already recognizes that there will be an “adjustment process” and that Europe will not remain, unfortunately, apart.

Asian companies have been particularly weighed on the stock market because they are the most damaged by prices, being the manufacturing sector mainly in these countries. China is the global factory with regard to consumer technologyAnd countries trying to be an alternative, such as Vietnam or India, have also been marked by a strong increase in import taxes in the United States.

It would imply An increase in the price of mobiles sold in this country, Since the vast majority are made in countries where prices are not that they have increased, they have multiplied suddenly. A good example is the iPhone, which should increase its price by more than 40%.

“American prices in China will make products for Americans”, but there is something to take into account and “indirectly, indirectly, It could be more expensive of American products sold in Europe which use Chinese components. For example, an iPhone is not made in the United States, but in China. And if this product arrives in Europe, it will be more expensive, “he explains in a conversation with Ana Isabel Jiménez Zarco, professor of economics and commercial studies at the University of Oberta in Catalonia. On the contrary, we must also take this into account”China could redirect its surplus production to other markets, increase supply and potentially reduce prices On these markets. However, it depends on the capacity to absorb these markets and trade policies that they adopt to protect their local industries “, as indicated Cristóbal Álvarez, professor at ESIC University.

The problem is that the interconnection of global economies makes An adjustment of this caliber will not go unnoticed in the rest of the marketsAnd could end up affecting Europe. In fact, Chinese companies that do not operate in the United States are also very affected on the stock market.

Some analysts consider whether, when increasing the production costs of devices, Companies could absorb these increases without having an impact on the price to their customers, Deconst them from their results accounts. This is something that some brands could do, like Apple or Google. But the amount is so large that even the California giant could have problems for this. The truth is that during the weekend, there were queues in the United States which bought already mobile terminals due to the foreseeable price increase.

Losses and increases

What analysts underline is that the logical thing would be to see how Companies partially have these increases from their customers who download prices, but also reducing their profit margin. The other two options, absorb all the impact or affect everything in a price, do not seem viable.

However, a new problem arises here, and this is what the percentage of the price of mobiles can increase before consumers refuse to pay them. According to Angelo Zino, the analyst of CFRA research actions, Even Apple would find it difficult to transfer more than 5% to 10% of the cost increase for buyers.

Even brands such as Samsung, which would be affected by lower rates than Apple or Google – American companies – should increase the price of their mobiles. Maybe to a lesser extent, yes, but always We are still talking about increases, not to keep the current prices. This is what implies that Trump has imposed an increase in prices from all countries. According to ESIC University expert, companies are surely trying “Move these increases to the end consumer in the higher price form. The reconfiguration of supply chains can generate additional costs and delays, contributing to greater inflation in various sectors. “Of course, the differences must be clear since”Technological articles of American brands such as Apple, Tesla could experience notable increases Price due to explicitly announced price reprisals. On the other hand, Asian brands known as Samsung, Huawei or LG could benefit relatively In competitive terms, if equivalent measures are not applied to these countries. “”

Uncertainty as certainty

Thus, we can see that the biggest current problem is not so much the change of prices, as their amount and the fact that Republican administration does not give confidence to markets or their allies. By keeping the doubt that the rules of the game can change overnight, as happened this month, companies will want to become defensive, with what it implies. Jiménez Zarco indicates that “this uncertainty increases prices and A simple threat reinforces instability and creates more panic. And consumption contracts. “Think Professor Álvarez, indicating that” the uncertainty generated by volatile trade policies can lead companies to Increase prices to compensate for possible future losses or additional costs. “”

Even if ultimately everything that happened was canceled by a decision by the United States government, Donald Trump's term ago almost four years agoAnd it could be repeated in the same way, or worse. This implies that we should not wonder if mobile prices will increase or not, but when and how much. The UOC teacher stressed that “the markets have been affected. Confidence with the United States has broken. In response to this attitude, there are threats, but if we are rectified, we would also see rectification in Europe. In China, it is not so clear”. This cools expectations that there is no price between the two largest economies on the planet. In addition, according to Cristóbal Álvarez, “Multinational companies could continue to seek to diversify the production channels In the less politically exposed markets, such as India or even regions of Latin America. “”

Maybe brands like Apple can last without increasing prices for a few monthsUntil the launch of the new iPhone 17, but of course, they will not be able to assume the increase in these prices more those involved in prices that other countries put. China has already confirmed 34% to all American imports. And all this indirectly affects Europe and Europe. Jiménez Zarco told us that “American products will have a double price in Europe when we have to pay the price of Chinese parts that enter the United States and the price that Europe puts on American products. This is what globalization has, that a product uses elements of many countries.”

Can I already buy my mobile?

If in doubt to change mobile now or wait a little more, you must consider several scenarios. To start, This is relevant on the stage of a buyer who the price is very carefulAs it makes sense. In addition, mobile change scenarios must be excluded for loss, rupture or theft. In all these cases, the change is urgent.

But there are circumstances in which there may be doubts. A person who planned to change the mobiles shortly, but with a margin of one year, for example, he should consider doing it now instead of waiting. As the situation is rare that prices will drop. It would be striking to stay. The UOC expert clearly indicates that “If the purchase already considered it, it is good to do it, because we do not know if this uncertainty will be medium term or in the long term.” Cristóbal emphasizes that “it is not necessary to rush into the purchase, Except in these products specifically exposed to supply chains which depend strongly on American or Chinese components directly affected by prices. “”

It is true that if there is no hurry, we can always choose to buy a more advanced model next year. But, if we have a mobile 4 or 5 years ago, the change will be noted to change one of this year or one of the next ones. And opt for Do it now something cheaper comes out. Or a lot, more depending on how events develop. Here, it is also important to know what type of mobile we will buy because “affected products will be the Americans, not the Chinese or the Koreans”. These could download prices indirectly if they use American parts, but not in the same way that it will happen to mobiles of American companies.

In theory, the prices of current models should not increase, at least those in stock, but In many cases, distributors immediately increase prices Faced with the doubts generated by the current situation. In this case, time would clearly play against us. However, in the long term, we could see even improvements since, as noted by ESIC University, “The major challenges were the catalysts of significant changes and competitive improvements. Microsoft or Ford have shown that adversity can stimulate strategic adaptation. “”