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Apple Said to Postpone iPhone Air Launch in China Due to eSIM Regulatory Challenges

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Apple unveiled the iPhone Air on September 9 during its ‘Awe Dropping’ launch event, alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Touted as the company’s thinnest iPhone ever at just 5.6mm, the iPhone Air is designed with an eSIM-only configuration, eliminating the physical SIM slot to make room for a larger battery. While the device is already available for pre-orders in 63 countries, its rollout in China faces a delay due to compliance hurdles with eSIM regulations. Apple is reportedly engaging with local authorities to address the issue.

According to a report from the South China Morning Post, Apple has quietly updated its Chinese iPhone Air order page. The original launch schedule, which listed pre-orders starting September 13 and deliveries beginning September 19, has now been replaced with a vague message stating that “release information will be updated later.” This confirms that Chinese customers will not receive the iPhone Air alongside other markets as initially expected.

In an effort to reassure consumers, Apple has stated through Chinese media outlets that it is “working closely with regulatory authorities” to ensure the iPhone Air enters the market as soon as possible. While China Unicom, China Mobile, and China Telecom are expected to support the iPhone Air’s eSIM technology, the official green light depends entirely on regulatory approval. This is a shift from Apple’s earlier stance, where only China Unicom had partnered with the company for eSIM-based devices.

The setback underscores Apple’s ongoing challenges in navigating China’s strict telecom policies, even as the country remains one of its most critical markets. Until the regulatory issues are resolved, Chinese buyers will have to wait longer to get their hands on the iPhone Air, despite its availability in dozens of other countries worldwide.

Trump to Hit Semiconductor Imports with Tariffs Unless Firms Build in U.S.

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President Donald Trump announced Thursday that his administration will impose tariffs on semiconductor imports from companies that do not move production to the United States. Speaking ahead of a dinner with top tech CEOs, Trump said the tariffs would be “fairly substantial” but would not apply to companies already investing in U.S. manufacturing.

Trump framed the move as part of his broader strategy of using tariffs to pressure foreign companies and governments to shift production and jobs into the U.S. “If they are not coming in, there is a tariff,” he said. He singled out Apple CEO Tim Cook, noting that Apple’s $600 billion commitment to domestic investment puts it “in pretty good shape.”

The policy comes as global chipmakers respond to U.S. pressure. Taiwan’s TSMC, South Korea’s Samsung, and SK Hynix have all announced major U.S. semiconductor plant investments. Trump had previously floated a 100% tariff on imported chips but said exemptions would apply for companies producing or planning facilities inside the country.

The announcement underscores Trump’s second-term emphasis on tariffs as a cornerstone of economic and foreign policy, a tool he has wielded to renegotiate trade terms and gain leverage in geopolitical disputes. However, legal challenges loom: lower courts have invalidated parts of his earlier tariff regime, and the administration has asked the Supreme Court to uphold the sweeping emergency powers used to justify them.

Trump to Host Tech Leaders in First Rose Garden Event After Renovation

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U.S. President Donald Trump will host more than two dozen technology and business leaders for a dinner in the newly renovated White House Rose Garden on Thursday, a White House official confirmed. The guest list includes Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

The event underscores Trump’s shifting relationship with Silicon Valley. Once marked by frequent clashes over issues like content moderation and antitrust, the dynamic has changed since his 2024 election victory. Tech executives have since sought closer ties with the administration, aligning with the rollback of diversity and equity initiatives while engaging Trump on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

White House spokesman Davis Ingle said, “The president looks forward to welcoming top business, political and tech leaders for this dinner and the many dinners to come on the new, beautiful Rose Garden patio.”

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, was not on the invite list, though he said on his social media platform X that he “was invited, but unfortunately could not attend,” adding that a representative would be present. Musk previously split with Trump after serving as an adviser earlier this year.

The Rose Garden renovation, completed in August, replaced the iconic lawn with a stone patio and umbrella-covered tables inspired by Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. The dinner follows a White House event on AI hosted by First Lady Melania Trump earlier in the day.

Other executives expected include Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Oracle CEO Safra Catz, Blue Origin CEO David Limp, Micron Technology CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, OpenAI President Greg Brockman, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar, AMD CEO Lisa Su, Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive, and Meta’s chief AI officer Alexandr Wang.