Apple secures tariff exemption by partnering with Intel for US chip production
Tim Cook's direct negotiations with the Trump administration yielded a deal that commits Apple to $600 billion in domestic investment over four years
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.
Apple’s commitment isn’t limited to Intel either. The company also entered a partnership with Broadcom valued at over $30 billion for US-made chip production, a deal expected to yield 15 billion chips and create hundreds of jobs.
The Intel angle and what it means for both companies
The US government invested approximately $8.9 to $9 billion in Intel for about a 10% equity stake as part of the CHIPS Act in August 2025.
The two-to-three-year production timeline means this deal’s full impact won’t materialize until roughly 2028 or 2029.