June 4 (Reuters) - Research firm Counterpoint cut growth

expectations for global smartphone shipments in 2025 to 1.9% on

Wednesday, down from its earlier forecast of 4.2%, citing

uncertainties surrounding U.S. tariffs.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a series of tariffs on

April 2, prompting companies such as Apple ( AAPL ) to adjust

supply chains. However, the U.S. suspended the tariffs on

smartphones and other electronic devices as part of a broader

90-day pause.

The downgrade signals challenges for manufacturers that

already face weakening sales amid heightened geopolitical

tensions and escalating tariff disputes.

The research firm also revised year-on-year shipment growth

from China down to near-flat, while Apple ( AAPL ) and Samsung's

shipments are expected to slow as cost increases are

passed on to consumers.

Apple ( AAPL ) sells more than 220 million iPhones a year worldwide,

with a fifth of total iPhone imports to the United States now

come from India, and the rest from China.

Last month, International Data Corp slashed its 2025 global

smartphone shipment growth forecast from 2.3% to 0.6%, citing

tariff-driven economic uncertainty and a pullback in consumer

spending.