Apple has significantly expanded its domestic investment plans by committing an additional £100 billion to its newly announced “American Manufacturing Programme.” This latest pledge brings the tech giant’s total planned investment in the United States to £600 billion over the next four years. The initiative was unveiled at a White House event featuring Apple CEO Tim Cook and President Donald Trump.
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Key Highlights:
All iPhone and Apple Watch Cover Glass to Be Manufactured in the US
In partnership with Corning, Apple will now produce all cover glass for iPhones and Apple Watches at a dedicated facility in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. A new Innovation Centre will also be established at the site to support further advancements.
New Chip Partnership with Samsung in Texas
Apple is embarking on a new chip manufacturing collaboration with Samsung, based in Austin, Texas. This initiative will implement advanced production technologies, although specific technical details have yet to be revealed.
Expansion of Manufacturing Facilities and Job Creation
The new funding will benefit several of Apple’s existing US-based suppliers, including Corning, Applied Materials, Broadcom, Coherent, GlobalFoundries, GlobalWafers, Samsung, and Texas Instruments. Highlights of the infrastructure expansion include:
- A major server facility in Houston to support Apple Intelligence systems.
- A manufacturing academy opening in Detroit on 19 August to train and consult small and medium-sized manufacturers.
- Enhanced data centre operations in North Carolina, Iowa, Nevada, and Oregon.
Apple also intends to recruit 20,000 new employees in the US, focusing on areas such as research and development, silicon engineering, artificial intelligence, and software.
Tariff Exemption Secured
At the announcement event, Tim Cook presented President Trump with a specially made Kentucky-manufactured glass piece mounted on a 24-carat gold base as a gesture of appreciation. In return, President Trump announced that Apple would be exempt from the forthcoming 100 per cent tariffs on imported chips and semiconductors, provided the company continues to invest in US-based production.
Cook acknowledged that while Apple now produces components like glass, chips, and Face ID modules within the US, it will still take time before entire iPhones are assembled domestically.
Summary
Apple’s “American Manufacturing Programme” represents a major step in its commitment to US-based production. It supports domestic suppliers, introduces cutting-edge chipmaking collaborations, expands infrastructure, and secures tariff relief. However, full device assembly in the US remains a long-term goal.
