Will TP-Link really make routers in the US? Here’s what it told us
News Source
•2026-10-21T14:00:00-04:00
📰 What Happened
TP-Link says it will spend nearly $1 billion to make Wi-Fi routers in the United States. This week it signed a letter of intent with US manufacturer Key Tronic. Assembly would start in Corinth, Mississippi, possibly as early as next year.
The company cannot sell its new Wi-Fi 8 routers in the US right now. President Donald Trump's ban on foreign-made routers blocks them. TP-Link is waiting for the Federal Communications Commission to grant a waiver.
🔍 The Backstory
Rivals Netgear and Asus also make routers in Asia, yet they received blanket waivers. TP-Link has not. Five US states have sued over the company's alleged ties to China, and others have urged the FCC to refuse.
TP-Link denies the claims and says its US market share is about 9 to 10 per cent. Even with a US factory, it would still want the waiver because its chips come from Qualcomm and Broadcom but are not made in America.
🎯 Why It Matters
Home Wi-Fi gear could get more expensive or harder to find, and this case tests how far security rules reach into everyday products.
TP-Link says it will spend nearly $1 billion to make Wi-Fi routers in the United States. This week it signed a letter of intent with US manufacturer Key Tronic. Assembly would start in Corinth, Mississippi, possibly as early as next year.
The company cannot sell its new Wi-Fi 8 routers in the US right now. President Donald Trump's ban on foreign-made routers blocks them. TP-Link is waiting for the Federal Communications Commission to grant a waiver.
Rivals Netgear and Asus also make routers in Asia, yet they received blanket waivers. TP-Link has not. Five US states have sued over the company's alleged ties to China, and others have urged the FCC to refuse.
TP-Link denies the claims and says its US market share is about 9 to 10 per cent. Even with a US factory, it would still want the waiver because its chips come from Qualcomm and Broadcom but are not made in America.
Home Wi-Fi gear could get more expensive or harder to find, and this case tests how far security rules reach into everyday products.