Apple says it will make the new Mac Pro in Texas, Ars Technica

        

Apple will continue manufacturing the Mac Pro in Austin, Texas, the companyannouncedon Monday. Media reports had suggested that the new Mac Pro, which wasannounced in June, might be manufactured in China. The Mac Pro has been assembled in Austin since 2013, while most other Apple products are made in China.

Apple credited the federal government with helping make the announcement possible. “The US manufacturing of Mac Pro is made possible following a federal product exclusion Apple is receiving for certain necessary components,” Apple said in its announcement.

Apple doesn’t say so specifically, but other news outlets arereportingthat this refers to Apple getting a break on tariffs on Chinese-made components. In recent months, the Trump administration has beenslapping hefty across-the-board tariffson Chinese-made goods as part of President Trump’s ongoing trade war with China.

In atweetlast month, Donald Trump vowed not to give Apple a tariff break on Chinese-made components. “Apple will not be given Tariff waiver, or relief, for Mac Pro parts that are made in China,” he wrote. “Make them in the USA.”

But Apple apparently convinced the Trump administration to change its tune. “We thank the administration for their support enabling this opportunity,” CEO Tim Cook said in a Monday press release.

Apple’s statement also included this puzzling sentence: “The new Mac Pro will include components designed, developed, and manufactured by more than a dozen American companies for distribution to US customers. “

That last phrase— “for distribution to US customers” —suggests that Apple might only be making some Mac Pros in the United States , with Mac Pros for overseas customers assembled elsewhere. But it’s possible that this is just a confusing sentence. We’ve asked Apple for details and will update if the company responds.