Technology giant Apple plans to spend more than US$500 billion (A$781 billion) in the United States in the next four years on new manufacturing facilities, a training fund and research and development and to create 20,000 jobs.
Apple, the world’s largest company, said it would open a new advanced manufacturing facility in Houston with its partners to produce servers supporting personal intelligence system Apple Intelligence.
It would also double its U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Fund, create an academy in Michigan to train the next generation of U.S. manufacturers, and grow its research and development (R&D) investments to support fields like silicon engineering.
The commitment includes working with thousands of suppliers in 50 U.S. states, direct employment, Apple Intelligence infrastructure and data centres, corporate facilities, and Apple TV+ productions in 20 states.
The announcement came a week after CEO Tim Cook met President Donald Trump who is imposing tariffs on products made in China, where Apple assembles many of its products including its iPhones, Reuters reported.
Apple said the spending would build on its history of investing in American innovation and advanced high-skilled manufacturing, and would support initiatives focussed on artificial intelligence (AI) , silicon engineering, and skills development.
“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,” Cook said in a press release.
Apple said it would double to $10 billion the size of its U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Fund, which was created in 2017 to focus on promoting advanced manufacturing and skills development.
The company said it planned to hire about 20,000 people, with most focused on R&D, silicon engineering, software development, and AI and machine learning.
By 7.15am AEDT (8.15pm GMT Monday) shares in Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) had risen $2.56 (1.04%) to $248.11, after ranging between $244.42 and $248.86, capitalising the company at $3.73 trillion.
