US President Donald Trump hosted an exclusive dinner at the White House with some of the world’s most influential technology leaders, including Mark Zuckerberg of Meta Platforms Inc. and Tim Cook of Apple Inc. During the event, both CEOs announced plans to invest “at least $600 billion” in the United States over the coming years, primarily aimed at building data centres and supporting infrastructure to fuel technological innovation.
The gathering highlighted Trump’s strengthening ties with Silicon Valley, as executives pledged significant spending on technology development within the US. Bloomberg reported that Trump opened the discussion by addressing a critical issue for tech companies: ensuring sufficient energy to meet the soaring power demands of AI-driven data centres.
Meta’s Commitment
Seated next to Trump, Zuckerberg expressed gratitude for the dinner, saying, “This is quite a group to get together.” He added that companies were investing heavily to expand data centres and infrastructure for the next wave of innovation. When Trump asked for specifics, Zuckerberg confirmed that Meta would invest at least $600 billion in the US by 2028. Trump responded with surprise, noting the scale compared to Meta’s recently announced $50 billion data centre project in Louisiana.
Apple’s Investment Plans
Trump also questioned Tim Cook about Apple’s US investment. Cook confirmed a similar commitment of $600 billion, praising the administration for fostering an environment conducive to innovation. He said, “I want to thank you for setting the tone such that we could make a major investment in the United States… That says a lot about your focus and your leadership.”
Earlier this year, Trump had urged Apple not to manufacture products in India. However, in August, Apple reassured the Indian government that it would continue expanding production there as part of its strategy to diversify away from China.
Other Tech Executives Join the Pledge
Throughout the dinner, Trump actively asked other tech executives about their planned investments in the US. These commitments include billions aimed at AI infrastructure, with Hitachi Energy alone announcing plans to invest more than $1 billion in electric grid upgrades to support AI’s increasing energy demands.
The White House noted that part of the motivation for these domestic investments is to avoid tariffs on imports and encourage companies to manufacture critical goods within the US. Some companies that commit to local development may even receive tariff relief, a strategy Trump is promoting to boost domestic manufacturing, according to Bloomberg.
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