Apple is bringing 3 manufacturing plants to the US (says Trump)

Though Apple hasn't confirmed the news, President Trump has apparently spoiled a surprise the company has in store by making the announcement himself: Apple is bringing three manufacturing plants to the United States, or so Trump says. The facilities will be 'three big plants, beautiful plants,' according to Trump, who revealed the information in a recent news interview. 'Big, big, big,' he went on to say.

Trump's administration has previously made statements about bringing manufacturing back to the US, something that has seemingly spurred companies like LG and Samsung to both establish plans to new facilities in the US. One such company will be Apple, if Trump's statements are accurate, per an interview he gave with The Wall Street Journal.

'I spoke to [Apple CEO Tim Cook],' Trump said, '[and] he's promised me three big plants — big, big, big. I said, you know, Tim, unless you start building your plants in this country, I won't consider my administration an economic success. He called me, and he said they are going forward.'

As it stands, Apple's various products are made in China, and that's no doubt going to remain true for the most part. Apple claims to employ somewhere around 80,000 people in the United States, but it was a big focus during Trump's campaign, at times facing criticism for its overseas manufacturing (and at others times, promises). What kind of facilities it may build in the US is unclear.

A key point here is that Apple hasn't yet commented on the statements and thusly hasn't confirmed that they are true. This administration's habit of embellishment should give everyone pause; we'll know the details once Apple does make a statement, but before then everything should be taken with a grain of salt.

SOURCE: Wall Street Journal