Apple has launched a substantial discount campaign on its official Tmall site in China, offering price reductions of up to 2,300 yuan ($318) on select iPhone models. 

This move is part of a broader strategy by the U.S. tech giant to fortify its position in the high-end smartphone market, where it faces mounting competition from local rivals such as Huawei.

Running from May 20 to May 28, the latest discount campaign significantly surpasses Apple’s previous efforts in February. The highest discount during the February promotion was 1,150 yuan, whereas this time, discounts reached up to 2,300 yuan. The most considerable reduction is applied to the 1TB iPhone 15 Pro Max model, with other models also benefiting from substantial price cuts, including a 1,400 yuan discount on the 128GB version of the base iPhone 15 model, according to Reuters’ checks on Monday.

Apple’s aggressive discounting is complemented by a range of other strategic efforts to stay competitive in the Chinese market. The company has been tailoring its marketing campaigns to resonate with Chinese consumers, focusing on cultural events and local festivals to build a stronger brand connection. Additionally, Apple is expanding its retail presence by opening new stores in key cities, enhancing brand visibility, and providing more touchpoints for consumers to experience its products firsthand.

Moreover, the Cupertino giant is strengthening its after-sales service network in China, offering more accessible and comprehensive support to its customers. This includes extending warranties and providing quicker repair services, improving customer satisfaction and loyalty.

The company has also been investing in the local tech ecosystem, partnering with Chinese developers to create apps and services tailored to the Chinese market, which enriches the user experience and fosters a loyal customer base.

Apple’s competitive pressures are amplified by Huawei’s resilience in the face of U.S. sanctions. Despite facing significant restrictions that limit its access to crucial technologies and components, Huawei has continued to innovate and capture market share. The Chinese tech giant has defied the odds by launching new high-end smartphones, such as the Pura 70 series and the Mate 60, boasting advanced features and competitive pricing. 

Huawei has also invested heavily in developing its own semiconductor technologies to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and ensure a steady supply of critical components. Furthermore, the telecom vendor has forged strategic partnerships with local suppliers and tech firms to boost its supply chain and enhance its product offerings. 

Beyond smartphones, Huawei has diversified its product range to include laptops, wearables, and smart home devices, creating additional revenue streams and mitigating risks.

Apple’s previous discounting campaign in February proved effective in counteracting a sales slowdown in China. Following the promotion, Apple’s shipments in China increased by 12% in March, according to Reuters’ calculations based on data from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT). This marked a significant rebound from the first two months of 2024, during which Apple experienced a 37% slump in sales.

The current discount initiative aims to sustain this positive momentum and further bolster Apple’s market position amid growing challenges. By offering substantial discounts, Apple not only attracts price-sensitive consumers but also reinforces its competitive stance against formidable local competitors like Huawei.

President Joe Biden has mounted a robust defense of Israel against allegations of war crimes presented in the world’s top courts. This defense comes in the wake of an announcement by Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), who revealed he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes committed during the recent conflict in Gaza.

Speaking at a Jewish American Heritage Month event at the White House on Monday, Biden expressed unequivocal support for Israel, criticizing the ICC’s move. 

“Let me be clear, we reject the ICC’s application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders,” he said, stressing that there is a wide difference between Israel and Hamas, the militant group governing Gaza: “There is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas,” he added.

Hours before his speech, Biden issued a strongly-worded statement condemning the ICC’s actions as “outrageous.” His administration has consistently maintained that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over Israel, a stance reiterated in his latest comments.

ICC and ICJ Proceedings

Karim Khan’s push for arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant signifies a bold step by the ICC in addressing alleged war crimes in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The charges relate to actions taken by Israeli forces during the war in Gaza, which have drawn widespread international scrutiny and condemnation.

In addition to the ICC’s actions, Israel is also contending with a separate case of alleged genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This case, brought by South Africa, accuses Israel of committing genocidal acts in Gaza. Biden dismissed these allegations, stating, “Contrary to allegations against Israel made by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), what’s happening in Gaza is not genocide. We reject that.”

The ICJ had previously ruled in January that there was a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza, ordering Israel to take several provisional measures to prevent any genocidal acts from occurring.

Israel, Hamas Reactions

Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant condemned the arrest warrants, describing Khan’s decision as an unacceptable attempt to equate Israel with Hamas. 

“Prosecutor Karim Khan’s attempt to deny the state of Israel the right to defend herself and ensure the release of the hostages held in Gaza must be rejected explicitly,” Gallant stated. He reaffirmed that Israel, as a non-member of the ICC, does not recognize the court’s authority and emphasized Israel’s right to self-defense.

Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, has also reacted strongly to the ICC’s decision. The group condemned the arrest warrants against its leaders, accusing the ICC of unfairly equating victims with aggressors. 

“We strongly condemn the attempts of the ICC Prosecutor to equate victims with aggressors by issuing arrest warrants against a number of Palestinian resistance leaders without legal basis,” Hamas declared in a statement on Monday.

The ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, has sought arrest warrants for Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’ military leader in Gaza, Mohammed Deif, leader of the Al Qassem Brigades, and Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’ political leader. These warrants are tied to alleged war crimes committed during the conflict with Israel.

Domestic U.S. Response

Biden’s defense of Israel has resonated with some segments of the American public, particularly among supporters of Israel, who view the ICC’s actions as politically motivated. His remarks at the White House event were met with warm applause. However, Biden’s position has also sparked significant backlash from pro-Palestinian activists and antiwar advocates, who have labeled him “Genocide Joe” in protests across the country.

Republican lawmakers have taken an even more hardline stance against the ICC. Senator Tom Cotton expressed his determination to ensure that ICC officials would face severe repercussions if they attempted to pursue legal actions against Israeli leaders. 

“My colleagues and I look forward to make sure neither Khan, his associates nor their families will ever set foot again in the United States,” Cotton wrote on social media platform X.

House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed these sentiments, confirming that House Republican leaders are exploring various sanctions against the ICC in response to its decision. 

“In the absence of leadership from the White House, Congress is reviewing all options, including sanctions, to punish the ICC and ensure its leadership faces consequences if they proceed. If the ICC is allowed to threaten Israeli leaders, ours could be next,” he stated on Monday.

Johnson further emphasized the lack of authority the ICC holds over Israel and the United States: “The ICC has no authority over Israel or the United States, and today’s baseless and illegitimate decision should face global condemnation. International bureaucrats cannot be allowed to use lawfare to usurp the authority of democratic nations that maintain the rule of law,” he said.

International Reactions

The international community has exhibited mixed reactions to the ICC prosecutor’s actions. In bold opposition to the US, several European nations have voiced their support for the ICC’s independence and actions.

Switzerland’s UN envoy Pascale Baeriswyl stressed the importance of respecting the ICC’s autonomy. 

“Switzerland fully supports the court and stresses the importance of respecting its independence,” Baeriswyl told the United Nations Security Council.

France and Belgium issued statements backing the ICC’s request for arrest warrants. The French foreign ministry stated, “Regarding Israel, it will be up to the court’s Pre-Trial Chamber to decide whether to issue these warrants, after examining the evidence put forward by the Prosecutor to support his accusations.” 

The ministry added, “France supports the International Criminal Court, its independence, and the fight against impunity in all situations.”

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said if the ICC issues arrest warrants for top Israeli officials over alleged war crimes in Gaza, all European Union member states would be legally required to comply.

“The mandate of the ICC, as an independent international institution, is to prosecute the most serious crimes under international law,” he said.

“All States that have ratified the ICC statutes are bound to execute the Court’s decisions.”

Implications of ICC Actions

The ICC’s intervention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict marks a historic moment, being the first instance of the court seeking to prosecute individuals from this region. Previously, the ICC had issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2023 over alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

Should the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber approve the arrest warrants, Netanyahu and Gallant could face significant travel restrictions, potentially affecting their ability to visit allied countries, including Germany and the United Kingdom. All signatories of the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, are obligated to cooperate fully with its decisions. This could complicate international diplomacy and travel for Israeli leaders.

The U.S., as a non-member of the ICC, has reiterated that Israel falls outside the court’s jurisdiction. However, the potential issuance of arrest warrants by the ICC could pressure U.S. allies who are members of the court to act, presenting a complex diplomatic challenge.