In a dramatic reassessment of two major players in the tech and automotive sectors, Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives has significantly downgraded his price targets for both Apple and Tesla, citing the looming threat of President Trump’s tariffs. According to Ives, the economic repercussions of these tariffs could spell disaster for both companies, particularly Apple, with its extensive reliance on Chinese manufacturing.
Apple: At the Crosshairs of Tariffs and Trade War
Apple, the world’s most valuable tech company, has long had a robust presence in China, where roughly 90% of its iPhones are manufactured and assembled. In light of this reliance, Ives warns that the company could face a devastating blow as Trump’s tariffs impose rising costs on Chinese imports. The analyst describes this situation as an “economic Armageddon” for Apple, with the tariffs threatening to disrupt both the company’s supply chain and profitability.
In his weekend note, Ives didn’t hold back, claiming that no U.S. tech giant is more vulnerable to these tariffs than Apple. The company’s deep ties to China make it uniquely exposed to the trade tensions that have dominated headlines in recent months. As a result, Wedbush has slashed its price target for Apple by $75, bringing it down to $250 per share—a substantial downgrade from its previous target.
This bearish outlook on Apple is already having an impact. Shares of the tech giant fell by 4.3% on Monday afternoon, dropping to $180 per share—well below the revised target price. For investors who have watched Apple’s stock soar to unprecedented heights in recent years, this downturn signals an uncertain period ahead.
Tesla: Political Headwinds and Global Uncertainty
But the fallout from Trump’s trade war isn’t limited to Apple. Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer led by the ever-controversial Elon Musk, is also feeling the heat. Ives has lowered his price target for Tesla, though not as dramatically as for Apple, adjusting it from $550 to $315 per share. While this still leaves some upside potential, the revised target reflects growing concerns about both global sales and the political climate that surrounds the company.
While the tariffs undoubtedly pose a risk to Tesla’s international expansion, Ives believes that the impact on Tesla’s brand reputation is an even more pressing issue. Musk’s outspoken political views and his close association with President Trump have become a source of tension. In particular, the analyst points to the political backlash Tesla has faced in the U.S. and Europe, where some customers have become disillusioned with the brand due to Musk’s public stance.
But perhaps the most troubling aspect of this political crisis for Tesla is its potential fallout in China, the world’s largest market for electric vehicles. Ives suggests that the brand’s association with Trump and the negative perception of the U.S. company could steer Chinese consumers toward local alternatives like BYD, a leading Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer. If Tesla’s reputation continues to falter in China, it could jeopardize the company’s growth prospects in a key market.
“Tesla has essentially become a political symbol globally,” Ives writes. “It is time for Musk to step up, read the room, and be a leader in this time of uncertainty.”
As of Monday afternoon, Tesla shares had fallen nearly 10% compared to Friday’s closing price. However, they have since rebounded slightly, reflecting some level of investor optimism despite the negative outlook.
The Road Ahead: A Changing Landscape
Both Apple and Tesla are facing a crossroads, with the shadow of President Trump’s tariffs looming large over their future. The stakes are high, and the risks are significant. For Apple, the threat to its supply chain and production costs is a major concern, while for Tesla, the challenge lies not only in the tariffs but in navigating the complex political landscape that Musk has helped create.
The revised price targets and grim outlooks from Wedbush are a stark reminder that even the world’s most powerful companies are not immune to the unpredictable forces of global trade and politics. As the U.S.-China trade war intensifies and political divides deepen, the future for these tech giants could be far more uncertain than many investors had hoped.
For now, the world watches to see how Apple and Tesla will weather these stormy times. Will they pivot, adapt, and thrive, or will they falter under the weight of these external pressures? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the era of unchecked growth may be coming to a close, and the companies that succeed will need to be more resilient than ever.
