Apple Stock Slammed By Trump Tariffs: Is A Death Cross Next?

Apple Inc AAPL is taking it on the chin as President Donald Trump's surprise tariff barrage sends shockwaves through the tech sector.

The stock slumped about 9.5% in early market trading Thursday, extending a brutal monthlong slide that has already shaved off more than 13%. If the trend persists, the stock could soon make a Death Cross — a classic bearish signal.

With fresh levies on China, Vietnam, and India – the backbone of Apple's supply chain – investors are scrambling to assess just how deep the damage could go.

The Tariff Toll: A Worst-Case Scenario?

Wedbush analyst and long time Apple bull Daniel Ives didn't mince words. He called Trump's 34% China tariff a "jaw-dropper" and warned that the tech sector is in for a rough ride.

And it's not just China. Apple's diversification efforts in Vietnam and India are also under siege, with Trump slapping 46% and 26% tariffs on imports from those countries.

The result? A supply chain squeeze that could force Apple to either absorb the costs or pass them on to consumers—neither of which is appealing.

Read Also: Meta, AMD, Apple, AT&T Among Biggest US Tech Giants That ‘May Suffer The Most’ As Tariffs Spark Trade Turmoil: Here’s Why

Apple Stock Technicals Turn Bearish

Chart created using Benzinga Pro

With the sell-off, technical indicators for Apple stock have turned red. Apple’s stock price of $202.77 now trades way below its eight-day and 20-day simple moving averages (SMAs), a bearish sign for active traders.

Moreover, the 50-day and 200-day SMAs suggest further downside lying way above at $229.72 and $229.15, respectively. If the trend continues, the converging 50-day and 200-day SMAs may soon form a Death Cross – firming the bearish streak that has just set in.

The MACD (moving average convergence/divergence) indicator at a negative 4.08 is firmly in bearish territory, while the RSI (relative strength index) at 31.70 hovers around oversold territory. Any further dip in the RSI could trigger a bounce back if buying pressure exists.

Can Apple Catch A Break?

In Trump's first term, Apple managed to sidestep major tariffs thanks to strategic lobbying.

The big question is whether history will repeat itself or if these levies will stick, putting long-term pressure on margins.

Some investors are already arguing that the market reaction is overblown, but with uncertainty gripping the tech sector, Apple stock’s fate may rest on what comes next from Washington.

Read Next:

• Trump’s ‘Reign Of Tariffs’ Unleashes ‘D-Day On Wall Street,’ Analyst Warns Of Stagflation Risk

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