While claims that Apple is preparing to work with Intel again have been on the agenda of the technology industry in recent months, a remarkable statement came from US President Donald Trump. In his post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Apple had finalized an agreement with Intel to design and produce chips in the USA. However, there is no official confirmation regarding the agreement in question from Apple and Intel yet.
In his post, Trump argued that past administrations lost semiconductor production abroad and particularly drew attention to Taiwan’s role in global chip production. Stating that the USA should strengthen its semiconductor production capacity again, Trump evaluated the cooperation between Apple and Intel as a result of this approach.
Recent news indicated that negotiations between the two companies had been going on for a long time. In the news published by The Wall Street Journal in May, it was reported that an agreement was reached for Intel to produce some processors used in Apple devices in its facilities in the USA. The news also stated that US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick held various meetings with Apple executives for about a year and tried to persuade the company to work with Intel again.
Details of the possible collaboration between Apple and Intel are becoming clear
Apple and Intel have had a close working relationship for many years in the past. However, Apple largely ended its dependence on Intel after switching to its own Apple Silicon processors in Mac computers. Today, most of the production of Apple’s specially designed processors is carried out by TSMC, based in Taiwan.
According to information previously shared by well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has started testing system chips developed with Intel’s 18A-P production process. Kuo stated that Intel would test the production processes of Apple processors throughout 2026, and that the mass production and delivery phase could begin the following year.
If this plan is implemented, Intel’s production facilities in Oregon, Arizona and Ohio are expected to take part in chip production for Apple. However, it is stated that TSMC will continue to be Apple’s main production partner and will undertake the majority of the production volume. For this reason, it is considered that Intel’s role may remain limited in the first stage.
Another striking element in Trump’s statement was the statements regarding Intel shares. In his post, the US President stated that 10 percent of the company’s shares were received in exchange for support for Intel. This statement also brought about comments that the US administration encouraged Apple to work with Intel.
The US government purchased 10 percent of Intel’s shares in August 2025. In the statement made by Intel at that time, it was announced that the government would invest 8.9 billion dollars in the company. Part of the funding was covered by resources previously allocated under the CHIPS Act, and the remaining part was covered by funds provided under the Secure Enclave program.
In addition to all these, the US administration has launched various incentive programs in recent years to attract semiconductor production into the country. If the alleged cooperation between Apple and Intel becomes official, this development may have remarkable consequences not only for the commercial relationship between the two companies, but also for the goal of increasing the domestic semiconductor production capacity of the United States. For now, all eyes are on the official statements from the parties.