Intel just had one of its best trading days in recent memory. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Apple and Intel would collaborate to design and manufacture chips within the United States, sending Intel shares soaring by an estimated 13-18% intraday and pushing the stock to all-time highs.
The announcement, made on June 18, confirms what the Wall Street Journal first reported on May 8: that Intel would begin producing chips specifically for Apple devices, with the Trump administration actively facilitating discussions between the two tech giants.
The deal behind the deal
The US government holds an approximately 10% equity stake in Intel that it acquired in August 2025 for roughly $9 billion, obtained by converting federal grants into equity. With Intel’s stock now at all-time highs, the government’s stake has been valued at approximately $56.5 billion following the rally, representing a substantial paper gain on the original $9 billion position.
Apple’s involvement isn’t exactly a surprise either. The company committed an additional $100 billion to US manufacturing back in 2025, a pledge that needed concrete partnerships to become reality.
