I think the OP is from the UK where we have to pay VAT as well as a large, un-accounted-for, plucked from the air, "you don't live in America" Apple markup.
Apple's international currency conversion is insane 😡
Hmm, there's some price difference, but it's not that much since e.g. prices in europe contain around 20% VAT, while the US prices are without VAT. Take the apple store germany. The 15'' base MBP is listed at 1749 Euro, compared to 1799 USD. The Euro price contains 19% VAT, so the base price in Germany is 1469.75. At the current exchange rate this translates to $1984 which gives a roughly 10% markup.
Similarly, for the UK, the price without VAT is 1291 pounds. This corresponds to $2015, so the markup is a bit higher than in Germany.
Now, add in that
- you want a buffer to absorb fluctuations in the exchange rate
- you have to offer a localized keyboard for a much smaller market
- you have to adapt products to local laws and regulations
- might have to pay some sort of customs in some areas
Btw, it seems that the MBP is slightly cheaper in Mexico right now.