CTA Estimates $185B–$230B to Reshore US Tech Production

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) published an analysis estimating the capital expenditure required to move production of 10 consumer tech product categories fully to the United States, according to digitaltoday.co.kr. The CTA estimated the shift would require $185 billion to $230 billion and between 555,000 and 668,000 additional full-time workers.

The analysis also projected annual electricity demand of 19.1 billion to 19.5 billion kWh. Under current tariffs, the CTA estimated that fully US-made smartphones would see production costs rise 152%, laptops 93%, smartwatches 97% and televisions 41%.

If 25% to 50% of the added costs were passed on to consumers, the CTA estimated weighted average retail prices across the 10 categories could rise 27% to 55%.

As an alternative, the CTA proposed a phased approach beginning with final assembly in the US, which it estimated would lower the capital burden to $16 billion to $19 billion. Even then, smartphone production costs would still rise 67% and laptops 50%, the CTA estimated.

Industry pushback on timelines

Gary Shapiro, CTA board chair, said it is unrealistic for the US to exceed 50% domestic semiconductor production in about two years, calling it physically and in terms of labor impossible.

In December 2025, the Trump administration issued the 'Genesis Mission' executive order aimed at building domestic supply chains for semiconductors, advanced robotics, biotech and nuclear power. Previously, after Apple said it would expand iPhone production in India, President Trump pressured Apple to make iPhones in the US; Wall Street analysts estimated US-made iPhones could cost $1,500 to $3,500. Former Apple manufacturing engineer Matthew Moore previously said it was virtually impossible to secure enough production workers in the US to meet global iPhone demand.