Apple has agreed to have chipmaker Intel manufacture some of its chips in the United States, said U.S. President Trump on Thursday. Trump’s comments came in a social media post. on Truth Social.
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I decided to help Intel because we need to design and build our Chips right here in America. First, we helped bring in Nvidia, and they agreed to build their first level Chips with Intel. Next, Elon agreed to build his TerraFab, the largest Chip Factory in the World, designed together with Intel’s Technology team. And, finally, Apple has agreed to work with Intel to design and build its Chips in America.
Intel’s stock rose 9% in premarket trading on Thursday, following Trump’s comments. The stock closed at $133.99. Apple was up 0.6% in premarket trading.
Neither Apple not Intel have officially commented on the alleged deal, although last month we reported that Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Intel had “kicked off” small-scale testing of lower-end iPhone, iPad, and Mac chip fabrication. Kuo said production was expected to ramp up throughout 2027 and 2028.
Kuo did not specify which of Apple’s A-series and/or M-series chips Intel would begin manufacturing.
Apple is utilizing Intel’s 18A process (using Foveros packaging) for these chips, and Kuo says the company is evaluating Intel’s other advanced-node technologies.
Sourcing chips from two suppliers will allow Apple to keep costs low, and a partnership with US company Intel will likely gain Apple more favor from the Trump administration, which is pushing for more US manufacturing. That said, Taiwan’s TSMC will remain responsible for more than 90% of Apple’s chip supply, says Kuo.
It isn’t known whether Intel’s relationship with Apple would be limited to strictly fabrication, or if it would eventually also play a role in chip design. The chips in question will be used in some lower-end iPhone, iPad, and Mac models.