Apple just had a huge moment that is sure to give a smile to the Trump administration. Tim Cook not only gave President Trump a special gift to mark the company’s focused US -focused efforts, but also announced that he was doubling US manufacturing in a big way.
A large part of this push is an extended contribution with corning. The same company that uses glasses in every iPhone and flagship Galaxy phone.
Apple and Corning are taking things to the next level with $ 2.5 billion investment, which will directly go to Corning Herodesburg, Kentucky. The plant will now be fully dedicated to all the core glasses of iPhones and apple watches – yes, 100 % of it. For the first time, all the core glass on these devices sold globally will be built in the United States.
However, it is not yet clear whether it will be applicable to the next iPhone 17 and Apple Watch 11 series. And honestly, maybe not – they are expected to launch in just a month. Exterior. , The iPhone 18 will be the first to officially carry the “Med in America” glass label.
Corning is not just stepping into production, it is creating the world’s largest and most sophisticated smartphone glass manufacturing line in Kentucky. The move is expected to increase the local workforce of the corning by 50 %, and the two companies are also opening the Apple Corning Innovation Center on the same site.
Within the corning facility where the iPhone cover is made of glass. | Image Credit – Apple
This new R&D Hub will focus on developing advanced materials and next generic manufacturing platform of future Apple devices.
This extension is part of the Apple’s extensive plan to put more than $ 600 billion in the US economy over the next four years. This includes the newly announced American Manufacturing Program (AMP), which aims to invest in the country and get more global companies to build Apple’s key components here in the states.
Corning is a US company, and we are very happy to work together to build the largest and most sophisticated production line ever made for smartphone glass. Thanks to the power of US manufacturing, any user who buys a new iPhone or Apple Watch anywhere in the world will hold a health -related glass in Kentucky. The President and his administration are grateful for their support for US manufacturing, and we are excited for the innovation that this investment will be unlocking.
As for, as. Tim kickApple’s CEO, August 6, 2025
Now, while it all looks great, it certainly raises some eyebrows. Has Apple not been saying for years that the iPhone’s core glass has been made in the United States? As Apple’s internal Mark Gorman pointed out, it was technically – but now we are publicly knowing that it was not completely true. Only 100 % of the iPhone glass will now be built in the United States.
Critically: Tim Cook has been talking for years that the iPhone’s core glass has been made in the United States. Today we learn – publicly – that it was not completely true and now only 100 % iPhone glass will be made in the United States. Before it was a mixture. Although Apple Watch is new.
– Mark Gorman (@Mark Gorman) August 6, 2025
Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that this is a big step to meet Trump’s pressure for more US -based manufacturing.
Apple is an amazing partner for American manufacturers like us, and together, we have innovated and advanced the boundaries of what is possible. We created and made a glass for the iPhone already located in Herodesburg in Kentucky 18 years ago. With the light of this new multi -billion dollar pledge from Apple and the light of our latest manufacturing platform, we are hiring more and more people and bringing 100 % of Apple’s 100 % core requirements for the iPhone and Apple Watch.
– Vandal Vax, CEO of Corning, August 6, 2025
The latest move is based on a partnership that has already been strengthening since the iPhone in 2007. Since launching its US Advanced Manufacturing Fund in 2017, Apple has invested about $ 500 million in corning Kentucky operations. And when you add to all apple glasses from the United States, we are talking billions more.
The reaches of the corning are just ahead of the screens. It provides raw materials to another company under Apple’s AMP umbrella. The use of silicon of global wax corning will start producing advanced barefoot for chips here in the United States.
So yes, here is definitely the PR win, but there is also some real movement in making Apple’s supply chain a US. And this last part is especially important if Apple wants to avoid Trump’s prices.
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