Apple Commits $100 Billion More Toward US Manufacturing

Apple says it’s increasing its investment in US production by another $100 billion over the next four years.

The company said Wednesday in a wide-ranging announcement that was leaked early by the White House that it will expand to $600 billion total its commitment to hire more US workers and expand some of its manufacturing across 10 states. 

Apple CEO Tim Cook was expected to discuss the company’s investments in a press conference with President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday and to unveil its American Manufacturing Program, which includes plans for 100 percent of its development of cover glass for its iPhone and Apple Watch products in Kentucky in partnership with Corning. Apple plans to commit $2.5 billion to that product effort alone. 

In the announcement, Apple reiterated what it previously said in February: that it was also planning to hire 20,000 US workers over that time period.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A representative for Apple pointed CNET to its online posts about the manufacturing changes.

Apple’s shifting strategy

Apple has been shifting the way it produces its products this year in response to the steep tariffs against countries where it manufactures most of its flagship products such as iPhones. While Apple and other major technology companies don’t make smartphones in the US, some assembly of products using components made overseas can be done in the US.

The company has moved some production from China to countries including India and Vietnam to bypass tariffs and to reduce its reliance on China’s extensive manufacturing supply chains. Smartphone-makers have been facing tariffs as steep as 25% and Apple is trying to avoid steep price hikes on its products. The company is gearing up for the launch of the iPhone 17 in September.

Apple’s announcement included news of partnerships with companies that include Texas Instruments, Broadcom, Applied Materials, TSMC and others. Some of those efforts will include increased chip development and manufacturing domestically.

The company has also opened up a new factory that produces servers for the company in Houston. It will gear up for mass production next year. Apple said those servers will help with its Apple Intelligence efforts.