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Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Apple to commit another $100 billion for U.S. manufacturing, White House says
Apple, which was singled out by the Trump administration earlier this year over its production practices, plans to take a further step to highlight its commitment to boosting investment in the U.S. The tech giant will pledge to spend an additional $100 billion on domestic manufacturing, a move that could ease tensions between the tech giant and President Trump who wants iPhones built in the United States. A White House official on Wednesday said Trump will announce a new manufacturing program aimed to bring more of Apple's supply chain to the United States, confirming an earlier report from Bloomberg. Apple's commitment will increase the Cupertino-based company's U.S. investment to $600 billion over four years as it seeks to avoid the cost of tariffs. The company announced a $500-billion U.S. investment commitment in February. Nonetheless, Trump in May criticized Apple for expanding iPhone production in India, threatening to hit the company with a 25% tariff. Apple and other tech companies have touted their U.S. commitments, but analysts and economists have said shifting manufacturing to the United States could take years and result in higher prices for smartphones and other popular electronics. Some analysts have said it would take at least five years for Apple to shift production to the U.S. and the prices of iPhones could reach $3,500 if the smartphone was made in America. The iPhone 16 Pro is made up of roughly 2,700 parts sourced from 187 suppliers in 28 countries, according to an April report from TechInsights. As companies look to keep costs down and consumers watch their budgets, tariffs add another wrinkle to efforts to slash spending. Taylor Rogers, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement, that the Trump and Apple's announcement is 'another win for our manufacturing industry that will simultaneously help reshore the production of critical components to protect America's economic and national security.' This week, Trump said he was doubling tariffs on India to 50%, stating in an executive order that the country's government 'is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil.' Apple didn't respond to a request for comment. The move marks the latest apparent effort by Apple to show its commitment to hiring U.S. workers. Last month, the smartphone leader announced the opening of its Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit. The program begins Aug. 19 and offers free workshops on artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing to small and medium-sized businesses. Apple has more than 450,000 jobs with thousands of suppliers and partners across all 50 states. While Apple designs its products in California, it also relies on a global supply chain involving various countries including China, Vietnam and India. Apple is already spending more because of Trump's tariffs. Last week, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said during an earnings call that the company has incurred roughly $800 million in tariff-related costs. Apple expects $1.1 billion in tariff-related costs in the fiscal fourth quarter ending in September.
South China Morning Post
24-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Huawei, SMIC struggle to advance chips to 5-nm level, MateBook shows: report
Huawei Technologies continues to face challenges in advancing to the 5-nanometre chip manufacturing process, an analysis of its latest laptop hardware shows, underscoring the impact of US sanctions on the Chinese telecoms equipment giant. Canadian research firm TechInsights found that the newly launched MateBook Fold Ultimate Design laptop features Huawei's Kirin X90 system-on-a-chip (SoC), which is manufactured by China's Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) using its 7-nm process node, according to a report published last week. The finding dampens speculation that Huawei had made the leap to SMIC's 5-nm process, for which production is difficult to scale because of US sanctions on the sale of the most advanced chipmaking equipment to Chinese fabrication plants. The report comes nearly two years after TechInsights identified that Huawei was using SMIC's 7-nm process for the Kirin chips in its latest smartphones, starting with the Mate 60 Pro. Unveiled in May, the new MateBook Fold is Huawei's first laptop with a foldable display, aimed at competing with similar offerings from Lenovo Group and HP. It runs on Huawei's proprietary HarmonyOS operating system, as the company pushes for self-reliance in both hardware and software. Richard Yu Chengdong, chairman of Huawei's consumer business group, introduces the Huawei MateBook Fold Ultimate Design laptop on May 19. Photo: Weibo Huawei's slow progress in securing 5-nm chips would mean the company is 'multiple generations behind' its US rivals such as Apple , according to the report. Apple's M-series chips have been using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) 3-nm process for the past two years.
The Hindu
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Huawei's new laptop uses older China-made chip, U.S. curbs stall SMIC, report shows
Huawei Technologies' new MateBook Fold laptop is powered by an older-generation chip made by SMIC, highlighting how U.S. export curbs are hindering China's top foundry from advancing to next-generation semiconductor manufacturing, Canadian research firm TechInsights said on Monday. There was widespread speculation in the industry that Huawei would use SMIC's newer 5nm-equivalent N+3 process node chip in the MateBook Fold that, according to TechInsights, marks Huawei's "most aggressive entrance into full-stack computing; chip design, OS development, and hardware integration". However, the laptop instead features the Kirin X90 chip, built on the same 7nm N+2 process node that was first introduced in August 2023, TechInsights said in a report. "This likely means that SMIC has not yet achieved a 5nm equivalent node that can be produced at scale," it said. "U.S.-imposed technology controls are likely continuing to impact SMIC's ability to catch-up to current foundry leaders in more advanced nodes across chips for mobile, PCs, and cloud/AI applications," TechInsights added. The MateBook Fold, which does not have a physical keyboard and features an 18-inch OLED double screen, was one of two new laptops Huawei launched last month. The devices are part of Huawei's broader push to build a self-reliant ecosystem amid U.S. efforts to limit its access to advanced chips. The laptops are the first to be sold with Huawei's Harmony operating system. It has not officially disclosed the processor used, though past models have used Intel chips. Huawei did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters reported last year that the U.S. revoked licences that had allowed companies including Intel and Qualcomm to ship chips used for laptops and handsets to Huawei. The U.S. curbs limited SMIC's access to advanced chipmaking tools, including extreme ultraviolet lithography. China-based foundries have to now rely on less efficient multi-patterning techniques that reduce yield, the report said. The report noted that Huawei's 7nm chip is several generations behind those used by Apple, Qualcomm, and AMD. It added that China remains at least three generations behind the global semiconductor frontier, as foundries like TSMC and Intel prepare to roll out 2nm process technology within the next 12 to 24 months. Earlier this month, Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei told Chinese state media that Huawei's chips were just one generation behind that of U.S. peers but the firm was finding ways to improve performance through methods such as cluster computing.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Huawei's new laptop uses older China-made chip, US curbs stall SMIC, report shows
BEIJING: Huawei Technologies' new MateBook Fold laptop is powered by an older-generation chip made by SMIC , highlighting how U.S. export curbs are hindering China's top foundry from advancing to next-generation semiconductor manufacturing, Canadian research firm TechInsights said on Monday. There was widespread speculation in the industry that Huawei would use SMIC's newer 5nm-equivalent N+3 process node chip in the MateBook Fold that, according to TechInsights, marks Huawei's "most aggressive entrance into full-stack computing; chip design, OS development, and hardware integration". However, the laptop instead features the Kirin X90 chip, built on the same 7nm N+2 process node that was first introduced in August 2023, TechInsights said in a report. "This likely means that SMIC has not yet achieved a 5nm equivalent node that can be produced at scale," it said. "U.S.-imposed technology controls are likely continuing to impact SMIC's ability to catch-up to current foundry leaders in more advanced nodes across chips for mobile, PCs, and cloud/AI applications," TechInsights added. The MateBook Fold, which does not have a physical keyboard and features an 18-inch OLED double screen, was one of two new laptops Huawei launched last month. The devices are part of Huawei's broader push to build a self-reliant ecosystem amid U.S. efforts to limit its access to advanced chips. The laptops are the first to be sold with Huawei's Harmony operating system. It has not officially disclosed the processor used, though past models have used Intel chips. Huawei did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters reported last year that the U.S. revoked licences that had allowed companies including Intel and Qualcomm to ship chips used for laptops and handsets to Huawei. The U.S. curbs limited SMIC's access to advanced chipmaking tools, including extreme ultraviolet lithography. China-based foundries have to now rely on less efficient multi-patterning techniques that reduce yield, the report said. The report noted that Huawei's 7nm chip is several generations behind those used by Apple, Qualcomm, and AMD. It added that China remains at least three generations behind the global semiconductor frontier, as foundries like TSMC and Intel prepare to roll out 2nm process technology within the next 12 to 24 months. Earlier this month, Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei told Chinese state media that Huawei's chips were just one generation behind that of U.S. peers but the firm was finding ways to improve performance through methods such as cluster computing.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Huawei's new laptop uses older China-made chip, US curbs stall SMIC
Huawei Technologies ' new MateBook Fold laptop is powered by an older-generation chip made by SMIC, highlighting how US export curbs are hindering China's top foundry from advancing to next-generation semiconductor manufacturing, Canadian research firm TechInsights said on Monday. There was widespread speculation in the industry that Huawei would use SMIC's newer 5nm-equivalent N+3 process node chip in the MateBook Fold that, according to TechInsights, marks Huawei's "most aggressive entrance into full-stack computing; chip design, OS development, and hardware integration". However, the laptop instead features the Kirin X90 chip, built on the same 7nm N+2 process node that was first introduced in August 2023, TechInsights said in a report. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologist Reveals: The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo "This likely means that SMIC has not yet achieved a 5nm equivalent node that can be produced at scale," it said. "US-imposed technology controls are likely continuing to impact SMIC's ability to catch-up to current foundry leaders in more advanced nodes across chips for mobile, PCs, and cloud/AI applications," TechInsights added. Live Events The MateBook Fold, which does not have a physical keyboard and features an 18-inch OLED double screen, was one of two new laptops Huawei launched last month. The devices are part of Huawei's broader push to build a self-reliant ecosystem amid U.S. efforts to limit its access to advanced chips. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories The laptops are the first to be sold with Huawei's Harmony operating system. It has not officially disclosed the processor used, though past models have used Intel chips. Huawei did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters reported last year that the U.S. revoked licences that had allowed companies including Intel and Qualcomm to ship chips used for laptops and handsets to Huawei. The US curbs limited SMIC's access to advanced chipmaking tools, including extreme ultraviolet lithography. China-based foundries have to now rely on less efficient multi-patterning techniques that reduce yield, the report said. The report noted that Huawei's 7nm chip is several generations behind those used by Apple, Qualcomm, and AMD. It added that China remains at least three generations behind the global semiconductor frontier, as foundries like TSMC and Intel prepare to roll out 2nm process technology within the next 12 to 24 months. Earlier this month, Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei told Chinese state media that Huawei's chips were just one generation behind that of US peers but the firm was finding ways to improve performance through methods such as cluster computing.
