Apple to pledge US$100 billion for US manufacturing: White House official

[WASHINGTON] Apple will announce a domestic manufacturing pledge of US$100 billion on Wednesday (Aug 6) that will focus on bringing more manufacturing to the US, a White House official said.

The pledge would be a new financial commitment, the official said on the customary condition of anonymity. It comes as President Donald Trump pursues an aggressive tariff and trade agenda aimed at moving some manufacturing back into the US.

Apple said in February it would spend US$500 billion in US investments in the next four years that will include a giant factory in Texas for artificial intelligence servers while adding about 20,000 research and development jobs across the country.

Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Trump’s tariffs cost Apple US$800 million in the June quarter and spurred some customers to buy iPhones in late spring this year. Apple has been shifting production of products bound for the US, sourcing iPhones from India and other products such as Macs and Apple Watches from Vietnam.

The ultimate tariff rates many Apple products could face remain in flux, and many of its products are currently exempt.

“Today’s announcement with Apple is another win for our manufacturing industry that will simultaneously help reshore the production of critical components to protect America’s economic and national security,” White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said in a statement.

The previously announced US$500 billion in expected spending from Apple includes everything from purchases from US suppliers to US filming of television shows and movies for its Apple TV+ service.

Earlier, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told Fox Business Network Apple was likely to make an investment announcement on Wednesday, as he discussed the financial pledges made by companies and countries under Trump. REUTERS