Media reports say Foxconn will build new plant in Wisconsin

Foxconn Technology Group, which assembles Apple Inc’s iPhones, will announce this week that Wisconsin is the company's choice for a $10 billion electronics factory, according to media reports.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Monday cited an unnamed source as saying the announcement probably will not name a specific site for the Wisconsin operation. Locations in Racine County and Kenosha County have been thought to be under consideration, the newspaper said.

On Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal said Foxconn could announce this week that it will produce display panels for large-screen televisions and other related equipment in Wisconsin. Citing three unnamed people, the newspaper said Foxconn could make announcements in Washington and Wisconsin. The newspaper also said Foxconn is looking at the Detroit area for an additional plant.

The company has said that it was looking at seven states – Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin – where it would invest $10 billion or more to make the flat-panel screens.

Foxconn is the largest contract electronics manufacturer in the world. It has factories and R&D departments all over the world, including China, Japan, the US and England. It employs about 1 million people across China who make and assemble smartphones and other devices for brands like Apple, Samsung, Sony and BlackBerry.

On Monday, during a visit to MillerCoors Brewery in Milwaukee, US House Speaker Paul Ryan was asked by a reporter if he had any insight into Foxconn's plans."I do, and stay tuned," Ryan said, smiling. "I'll let the governor, who has been the quarterback on this Foxconn negotiation, give you more about that later."

Governor Scott Walker is under a nondisclosure agreement with Foxconn.

In mid-June, President Donald Trump said during a trip to Milwaukee that "just backstage we were negotiating with a major, major incredible manufacturer of phones and computers and televisions, and I think they're going to give the governor a very happy surprise."