Why Apple Got a "Made in U.S.A." Bug

Shouldn't we all wait and see what they actually do vs. marketing hype?<p>If they only make a dozen jobs for supervisors and the rest is machine automation, does that count?<p>What if it's in a US territory to escape minimum wages and standard benefits? Does that count?<p>What if no-one works more than 29 hours a week to dump the health costs on taxpayers instead of Apple? Does that count?<p>What if all the machines, tools, parts, building materials used in the facility were made outside the USA? Does that count?

This article shows what Apple hopes to gain from the announcement that they will be manufacturing in the U.S. - articles about Apple planning to manufacture in the U.S.<p>I remember Walmart's "Buy American" campaign in the late 80's early 90's. Ten to fifteen years later it still shaped perceptions about the company's merchandise long after it had gone to a global logistics chain. I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Cook has made a similar observation.<p>Apple's investment is trivial. $100,000,000 is still small business in American manufacturing. It's about the cost of a new moderately sized High School.

You know, as a European who used to live in China I have to say that those 'Made in the USA' slogans are really off-putting for me.<p>To me it almost reads like 'More expensive because we're jingoists'.<p>Whatever happened to globalization? Has it become hip to be 'protectionist' now the economy isn't doing so well?<p>This really does bug me because the companies that use the 'Made in the USA' tagline otherwise tend to be cool (it's all over Kickstarter).

Maybe Apple actually plans to assemble iTVs in USA; it would probably make the most sense. Unit sizes are huge, most customers are domestic, keeping it more under the wraps etc...

The post losts all credibility as soon as the quote from Rob Enderle showed up.

Enderle? Sigh.<p>I wonder if the writer realizes that Steve Jobs started out using robot factories (with NeXT) and then went to China. Its cheaper to hire and fire poor people than robots.<p>My guess is that Apple plans to assemble the most expensive macs (especially Bro models) in the US. I'm hopingthis includes the Mac Pro replacement.

Either labour costs are cheaper (the Chinese are starting to want real money vs many unemployed people in the us) or they're getting a tax break somewhere or a subsidy.

The New York Times quoted Rob Enderle? Whoa.

There probably is a political motive that involves government or military contracts here. Or an political/economic motive if Apple wants to repatriate money back into the US.

It isn't necessarily labor costs that will likely keep at least some component manufacturing overseas. Semiconductor fabrication involves a lot of nasty chemicals and byproducts. Fab plants are substantially cheaper to run in countries with lax worker safety and environmental standards.

Tim Cook thinks different though ;). He also re-instated the charity giving.<p>Either way, even if Apple makes a few dollars less on each Mac the publicity alone is worth it. "Look, we make things in USA." Remember BP's, Beyond Petroleum?<p>--- edited to add "less"