Foxconn Considers Building Plant in Wisconsin

Apple assembler Foxconn is considering building a manufacturing plant in Wisconsin, reports the Associated Press.

A person with direct knowledge of the negotiations who was not authorized to speak publicly confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday that the state is in talks with Foxconn. At least one other upper Midwest state, Michigan, is also pursuing the plant.

Notably, President Trump recently hinted at the negotiations himself. During a visit to Milwaukee yesterday, Trump said Walker might get "a very happy surprise very soon". He added, "we were negotiating with a major, major incredible manufacturer of phones and computers and televisions."


"It would be great for Wisconsin for a lot of reasons," said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council. "I am assuming Foxconn was attracted by the fact there's already a skilled workforce here and there's a foundation to produce more such workers through the tech colleges and the other parts of the education system."

In January, Foxconn announced it was looking at investing $7 billion with Apple to open a display factory in the United States. Sharp, now controlled by Foxconn, would take the lead on the project.

"Apple is willing to invest in the facility together because they need the [panels] as well," Chairman Terry Gou told reporters. The U.S. production site eventually would create 30,000 to 50,000 jobs.

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