Can Apple Build the iPhone in America? This Might Be Step One

Apple has committed $500 million to a rare earths supply deal with MP Materials, marking a significant step toward reshoring critical components of its product manufacturing.

The agreement ensures that rare earth magnets, essential parts in iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and more, will be sourced from U.S. soil and processed in facilities located in California and Texas. As part of the deal, Apple is also supporting a new recycling program to extract rare earths from old devices, reinforcing its environmental goals while aligning with pressure from the Trump administration to produce more tech domestically.

This move comes amid rising geopolitical tension and global concerns over China’s near-total dominance in rare earth processing. China currently controls over 90% of the world’s refined rare earth output.

The partnership could help Apple avoid future tariff risks and build goodwill with the White House, especially as Trump calls for a 25% tariff on non-U.S.-made iPhones.

While the iPhone itself won’t be built in America anytime soon, this investment signals Apple’s intent to slowly pivot away from foreign supply chains and build the infrastructure and talent needed for more U.S.-based manufacturing in the future.