In Europe, there are already operators who collaborate on the development of databases in which the IMEIs of stolen phones are included. The inclusion of an IMEI in that database makes it impossible to use the respective terminal with any mobile phone operator participating in that database and Romania will build a similar one in the near future. For now, mobile phone operators in the US will do one in it as well will be included even iPhone terminals that will no longer be able to be used on American territory as soon as they are included in that list.
The problem is that Apple could take part in the development of this database and force the blocking of iPhone terminals that are stolen. For now, the company does not do this internationally, but in general the changes implemented in the USA apply to the entire globe. The unified database for the main 4 mobile phone operators in the US will be available in about a year and then we will see if Apple will help the operators or let thieves exploit other people's property.
