Trump claims Apple will manufacture chips through Intel in the United States

Intel may have secured its most significant manufacturing customer to date, following US President Donald Trump’s claims that Apple will partner with Intel to design and manufacture chips in the United States.

The announcement, made on 19 June through Trump’s Truth Social platform, suggests a potentially major development for Intel’s efforts to rebuild its semiconductor manufacturing business. If confirmed, the agreement would represent one of the most important customer wins in the company’s push to become a leading contract chip manufacturer.

Reports over the past year have indicated that Apple and Intel have been exploring joint manufacturing opportunities. Industry sources previously suggested that discussions between the two companies had been ongoing and that limited production projects may already have been underway.

Potential boost for Intel’s foundry ambitions

Trump described the reported agreement as part of a broader effort to strengthen domestic semiconductor production and support the growth of advanced manufacturing in the United States. However, the president did not provide details on which Apple-designed chips Intel would produce or when production might begin.

For Intel, securing Apple as a customer would be a significant milestone. The company has spent several years investing heavily in its foundry business, which manufactures chips designed by other companies. This strategy aims to challenge the dominance of established contract manufacturers, particularly TSMC, which currently produces chips for many of the world’s largest technology firms.

Intel’s foundry division has faced considerable pressure to demonstrate that it can compete at the highest levels of semiconductor manufacturing. Winning a customer of Apple’s scale would provide strong validation of Intel’s technology roadmap and manufacturing capabilities. Apple is one of the largest buyers of advanced semiconductor production capacity globally, making any partnership highly significant for the industry.

The reported agreement also aligns with broader US government efforts to expand domestic chip manufacturing. Policymakers have increasingly focused on reducing reliance on overseas semiconductor production and strengthening supply chain resilience through local investment and manufacturing initiatives.

Government backing strengthens Intel’s position

Intel has already received substantial support as part of efforts to boost the American semiconductor sector. In 2025, the US government announced plans to take a 10 per cent stake in the company and invest approximately US$10 billion to support the construction and expansion of semiconductor manufacturing facilities across the country.

The funding is part of a wider strategy to encourage advanced chip production in the United States. Officials have argued that increasing domestic manufacturing capacity is important for economic competitiveness, national security and long-term technological leadership.

Despite Trump’s announcement, neither Intel nor Apple has formally confirmed the reported partnership. Both companies have remained silent regarding the president’s claims, leaving questions about the scope, timing and specific nature of the proposed collaboration.

Industry analysts are likely to wait for official statements before agreeing on the potential impact. Nevertheless, the announcement has generated considerable attention due to Apple’s importance in the global technology sector and Intel’s ongoing efforts to attract major customers to its foundry business.

The possibility of Apple shifting at least part of its manufacturing requirements to Intel would also represent a notable change in the semiconductor production landscape, where a small number of manufacturers currently dominate the most advanced process technologies.

Signs of momentum in Intel’s manufacturing strategy

Recent developments suggest that Intel’s manufacturing business has begun making measurable progress after several challenging years. The company recently announced that its 18A-P manufacturing process had entered risk production, an important stage that precedes full-scale commercial manufacturing.

Intel has also revealed that Tesla plans to use its future 14A manufacturing process for selected products. In addition, industry reports have indicated that Nvidia may utilise Intel’s manufacturing technology for certain products later in the decade, although no large-scale commitments have been publicly confirmed.

An Apple manufacturing partnership would further strengthen confidence in Intel’s foundry strategy. Securing one of the world’s most influential technology companies would provide a powerful endorsement of the company’s manufacturing capabilities. It could encourage other chip designers to consider Intel as a production partner.

The opportunity comes at a time when demand for advanced semiconductor manufacturing remains high. TSMC continues to experience strong demand for its leading-edge production technologies, while the cost of accessing advanced manufacturing capacity has increased. This environment may create opportunities for Intel to position itself as a competitive alternative for companies seeking additional production capacity.

Although significant details remain unknown, the reported agreement highlights the growing importance of semiconductor manufacturing in both technology and economic policy. If officially confirmed, the partnership could mark a major turning point in Intel’s long-term effort to establish itself as a leading global foundry provider.