Apple announced plans to invest $500 billion in the United States over the next four years, a move that will create approximately 20,000 new jobs primarily in research and development, silicon engineering, software development, and artificial intelligence.
The investment, described as Apple’s “largest-ever spend commitment,” includes establishing a new manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas, that will produce servers for Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI system. The 250,000-square-foot server manufacturing facility is expected to open in 2026 and create thousands of jobs.
“We are bullish on the future of American innovation, and we’re proud to build on our long-standing U.S. investments with this $500 billion commitment to our country’s future,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.
The announcement came shortly after Cook met with President Donald Trump last week. The investment arrives as the Trump administration recently imposed 10% tariffs on many Chinese imports, though Apple had previously secured some waivers from China tariffs during Trump’s first administration.
The $500 billion package includes spending with U.S. suppliers, direct employment, Apple Intelligence infrastructure and data centers, corporate facilities, and Apple TV+ productions across 20 states. Apple currently supports more than 2.9 million jobs across the country through direct employment, work with suppliers, and developer jobs in the iOS app economy.
As part of the plan, Apple will double its U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Fund from $5 billion to $10 billion. The expanded fund includes a “multibillion-dollar commitment” to produce advanced silicon in TSMC’s factory in Arizona, where mass production of Apple chips began last month.
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The company will also open an Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit, Michigan, where Apple engineers and university experts will help small and medium-sized businesses implement AI and smart manufacturing techniques. Free courses will be offered on skills like project management and manufacturing optimization.
The servers that will be manufactured in Houston were previously produced outside the United States. Apple says these servers are designed to be energy efficient, reducing power demands in their data centers, which already run on 100 percent renewable energy.
Gil Luria, an analyst at D.A. Davidson, offered a more measured perspective on the announcement: “This pledge represents a political gesture towards the Trump administration.” Luria estimated that Apple has already committed to spend more than $150 billion per year in the United States.
Apple’s new investment follows the company’s similar 2018 announcement during Trump’s first administration when it pledged that its investments would contribute $350 billion to the U.S. economy over five years.
The White House highlighted the investment, connecting it to other recent investment announcements including “a $500 billion private sector investment for the largest artificial intelligence infrastructure project in history” and “a commitment by Saudi Arabia to invest $600 billion in the U.S. over the next four years.”
While most of Apple’s consumer products are still assembled outside the U.S., many components are made domestically by companies like Broadcom, Skyworks Solutions, and Qorvo. The new investments signal an increased focus on domestic production, particularly for AI-related infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What exactly is Apple investing $500 billion in?
The $500 billion includes spending with U.S. suppliers, direct employment, Apple Intelligence infrastructure and data centers, corporate facilities, and Apple TV+ productions across 20 states. - How many jobs will Apple’s investment create?
Apple plans to hire around 20,000 people over the next four years, with the majority focused on R&D, silicon engineering, software development, and AI/machine learning. - Why is Apple making this investment now?
While the timing coincides with recent meetings between Apple CEO Tim Cook and President Trump and follows new tariffs on Chinese imports, Apple frames it as part of their ongoing commitment to U.S. investment and innovation. - Will Apple start making iPhones in the USA?
The announcement doesn’t include plans to manufacture iPhones in the U.S. Most consumer products will still be assembled outside the country, but many components will continue to be made domestically. - What is the Apple Manufacturing Academy?
It’s a new facility Apple will open in Detroit where its engineers, along with university experts, will offer free courses to help small and medium-sized businesses implement AI and smart manufacturing techniques. - How does this compare to Apple’s previous U.S. investments?
In 2018, Apple announced its investments would contribute $350 billion to the U.S. economy over five years. This new commitment represents a significant increase to $500 billion over four years.
