He'd be right too.
You either help pay a contribution towards the extra cost of doing internationally, or you live without the best products in the world.
Well, there's two separate issues here -- Apple's high pricing in general (which people love to argue about), and the relative costs of products between countries, which is everyone, not just Apple.
As a Canadian I am no stranger to the higher costs of goods here. And in the last decade or so I think the costs are reasonable and fair. My litmus test is "how much would I save if I went to the US myself and bought it there". Once I add travel or shipping costs, and state taxes, the savings are usually inconsequential.
10 years ago it was different. The Canadian dollar was worth 65 cents on the US dollar so a product priced at $2000 in the US was closer to $3000 here. Except that the Canadian retail pricing would often be closer to $3499. Or worse. I remember buying a Sony VX2000 semi-pro camcorder. Retail in Canada was $4500. I bought it in the US for $2300. Saved a ton.