Apple’s Price Adjustments and Supply Chain Adaptations
Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, clarified that recent price hikes for new iPhone models are not linked to tariffs imposed by former U.S. President Donald J. Trump, as reported by CNBC.
Apple raised the price of its new iPhone 17 Pro by $100 and introduced the Air model, replacing the previous Plus version, at a higher price. Meanwhile, lower-end devices remained unchanged.
To counteract tariff impacts, Apple adjusted its supply chain to import iPhones into the U.S. from countries with lower tariffs, such as India and Vietnam, instead of shipping them from China at a higher tariff rate.
Clara’s Partnership with Bitso Business for Corporate Payment Solutions
Mexican startup Clara, offering enterprise spending management solutions in Latin America, signed an alliance with Bitso Business to launch corporate cards backed by stablecoins in the region, starting with Mexico.
This collaboration allows companies holding stablecoins on Bitso to use those assets as collateral for Clara’s payment products.
Businesses can access the entire Clara ecosystem, including smart corporate cards, national and international payments, bill payments, and AI-driven financial software without needing to liquidate their crypto holdings.
The offering primarily targets mid-sized and large companies in Mexico with USDC and MXNB stablecoins, especially those seeking simpler financing methods without repatriating capital or relying on traditional banking.
Regional expansion will follow based on customer demand, according to both companies.
Terrafina Renews Credit Line and Secures Additional Financing
Terrafina, a real estate investment trust specializing in industrial properties, announced the renewal of a credit line and acquisition of short-term financing designed to enhance its debt maturity profile.
Terrafina renewed a revolving credit line for $100 million, with an expansion clause allowing up to an additional $250 million, subject to lender approval.
The company also secured a new short-term credit of $250 million with an initial one-year term, extendable up to two additional years.
The new financing carries a 140 basis points margin and will be used to refinance existing debt and support general corporate purposes, contributing to a more balanced and robust debt maturity schedule.
Stellantis Unveils Efficient EV Battery Charging System
Stellantis presented a prototype electric vehicle with a faster, lighter, and affordable charging battery system that eliminates the need for separate chargers and inverters.
The IBIS system, developed in collaboration with Saft, a TotalEnergies subsidiary, is one of the first of its kind and saves weight and space while simplifying maintenance, according to Stellantis.
The new system is 10% more efficient than a similar-sized EV battery and reduces charging time by an hour.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Why did Apple adjust its iPhone prices? A: The price hikes were not due to tariffs imposed by former U.S. President Donald J. Trump, but rather to adapt the supply chain and import iPhones from countries with lower tariffs.
- Q: What is Clara’s partnership with Bitso Business about? A: The collaboration aims to launch corporate cards backed by stablecoins in Latin America, starting with Mexico, allowing businesses to access Clara’s ecosystem without liquidating crypto holdings.
- Q: What actions did Terrafina take regarding its debt? A: Terrafina renewed a $100 million credit line with an expansion clause for up to $250 million and secured a new $250 million short-term credit with a one-year term, extendable up to two additional years.
- Q: What makes Stellantis’ new EV battery charging system unique? A: The IBIS system is one of the first of its kind, offering faster charging, reduced weight and space requirements, and simplified maintenance compared to traditional EV battery systems.
