Apple secured an exemption from President Trump’s 100% tariffs on imported semiconductors by agreeing to shift some of its chip production to Intel’s US facilities, a deal brokered through direct negotiations between CEO Tim Cook, Trump, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
The arrangement is part of Apple’s broader commitment to invest $600 billion in the US over four years.
How the deal came together
In August 2025, Trump announced 100% tariffs on imported semiconductors. The policy included a carve-out: companies that committed to US manufacturing could earn exemptions.
The preliminary Apple-Intel manufacturing agreement was reached by roughly May or June 2026, with production ramp-up expected to take two to three years.
