Foxconn, Apple’s largest manufacturing partner, could this week announce its plans to open new manufacturing facilities in the U.S.
Sources say the Chinese company could hold an event in Washington, D.C. to announce new electronics plants in Detroit and Wisconsin — but it’s not yet clear whether those plants will be making goods for Apple.
Foxconn assembles the vast majority of Apple’s most popular devices, including the iPhone, iPad, iPod, and many Macs. Since Donald Trump was elected, there has been talk of the company expanding into the U.S. as part of the President’s “Made in America” push.
Now the Wall Street Journal reports that Foxconn could confirm those plans as early as this week. Citing people familiar with the move, it claims that plants in Detroit and Wisconsin are possible, but we know at least one of those will be no good for Apple.
The Wisconsin plant will reportedly focus on producing display panels for larger devices, such as televisions. The role of the Detroit facility is unclear, but it’s possible that it could serve Apple with assembly or component production.
Foxconn chairman Terry Gou has previously hinted at plans to make “a number of investments in the U.S.,” but little has been said about them since. It did, however, provide a list of 7 states that could be suitable for its expansion.
Apple has long said it would be keen to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., but there are large hurdles to overcome. As CEO Tim Cook has previously explained, not only is Chinese labor cheaper, but its workers are also more skilled.
