Apple is set to begin collaborating with Intel on the design and manufacture of some of its integrated circuits in the United States. The news was announced by US President Donald Trump on Truth Social. Although the companies have not officially confirmed the details of the agreement, reports of talks between the two firms have been circulating for many months.
For Apple, the partnership primarily means greater diversification of its supply chain. For years, the iPhone manufacturer has relied mainly on Taiwan’s TSMC for the production of its proprietary chips. However, growing demand for advanced manufacturing capacity – driven, amongst other things, by the development of artificial intelligence – means that access to new factories is becoming strategically important.
According to earlier reports, talks between Apple and Intel have been ongoing for over a year. The preliminary agreement is said to cover the production of chip components designed by Apple, although it is not yet clear which devices will benefit from the new manufacturing capacity. Analysts suggest that, initially, these may be less advanced processors used in selected Mac or iPad models.
For Intel, the contract would be one of the most significant successes in its chip manufacturing business for external clients, which it has been developing for several years. The company is striving to compete with TSMC and regain its position as the leader of the US semiconductor sector. An additional boost is expected to come from the launch of production using Intel’s 18A process technology, which the company is promoting as a key element of its growth strategy.
The market reacted very positively to the news. Intel’s shares rose by around 10–11 per cent following the announcement of the partnership, and investors viewed the deal as an important signal confirming the US manufacturer’s growing appeal to the largest technology firms.
The potential partnership also forms part of a broader strategy by the US administration, which aims to increase domestic semiconductor production and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. If the project is carried out as announced, it could become one of the most significant examples of advanced technology manufacturing being brought back to the United States.
