Apple has anounced they are returning 200B to there shareholders over the next few years. The somewhat shocking reality is that's only 5 years woth of proffits which is arguably a perfectly reasonable cash hoard.
However, the real issue is the depreciation on components makes shipping cutting edge electronics by sea untenable. Put another way Apple does not want to wait another 25 days before releasing their new phone or be forced to ramp up production on an even less proven technology.
PS: Another option is to ship the phones by air but the packaging by sea. However, phones are small enough that it would not be woth maintaining a U.S. factory for final assembly.
However, the real issue is the depreciation on components makes shipping cutting edge electronics by sea untenable. Put another way Apple does not want to wait another 25 days before releasing their new phone or be forced to ramp up production on an even less proven technology.
PS: Another option is to ship the phones by air but the packaging by sea. However, phones are small enough that it would not be woth maintaining a U.S. factory for final assembly.