A post on Truth Social by President Donald Trump has sent shockwaves through the tech world: according to his statements, Apple and Intel have finalized an agreement to design and manufacture chips in the United States. Although the companies have yet to officially confirm the news, the implications for the semiconductor industry are enormous. Trump wrote that "stupid presidents took our economy for granted, and let Taiwan and others steal our semiconductor factories," highlighting the protectionist shift of his administration.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the parties had already reached a preliminary agreement in May to produce chips for Apple devices at Intel facilities. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reportedly met with Apple leadership repeatedly over a year to convince them to return to working with Intel. The relationship between Apple and Intel was severed when Cupertino abandoned Intel processors in favor of proprietary Apple Silicon chips, primarily manufactured by Taiwan's TSMC. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple was already testing systems-on-chip based on Intel's 18A-P process, with trial production in 2026 and deliveries expected the following year.
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Intel is expected to manufacture chips for iPhones and Macs at its fabs in Oregon, Arizona, and Ohio. However, even if the deal is finalized, TSMC will remain Apple's main supplier for the majority of production. Trump added in his post: "We decided to help Intel in exchange for 10 percent of their shares," referring to the government stake. In August 2025, the US government acquired a 10% stake in Intel, investing $8.9 billion, partly funded by the CHIPS Act and the Secure Enclave program.
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This move represents an attempt to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States, reducing reliance on Taiwan. It intertwines with geopolitical tensions and the technological competition with China. For Apple, diversifying chip production could ensure greater supply chain stability, but raises questions about cost and efficiency compared to TSMC. The deal, if confirmed, would mark a historic shift, reminiscent of the original Apple-Intel partnership that lasted until 2020.
Impact on the Semiconductor Market
The news comes as the chip sector is at the center of aggressive industrial policies. The future A22 Pro chip for 2028 iPhones will be built on a 1.4nm process, and Intel could play a key role in its production. This agreement could accelerate Intel's growth as a contract manufacturer, challenging TSMC's dominance. At the same time, Apple continues to innovate in software, collecting data for personalized App Store recommendations, demonstrating its focus on user experience.
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From a geopolitical perspective, Trump's move could be seen as an attempt to strengthen American manufacturing autonomy, already central to the debate on the CHIPS Act. It remains to be seen how Asian partners will react and whether Europe can keep pace, as discussed in the article Dark Matter Hunt and Kenya Solar: Is Europe Watching from the Sidelines?.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2197065/trump-claims-apple-intel-deal-is-done
