Intel and Apple: Swapping Roles?

Apple has been buying chips from Intel. But now we have learned Intel cannot make the latest generation chips, as they are lagging with the 7nm process. And what once was a heresy at Intel: outsourcing chip manufacturing to a 3rd party fab, is now seriously being considered. And TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) is probably the most likely candidate for that assignment, as they are already manufacturing AMD processors using the 7nm process.

Now TSMC is probably one of a few potential big acquisitions targets for Apple. Apple likes making everything in house. SO not, especially with the cost-optimizing move from Intel to ARM, Apple might want to own the world's most advanced semiconductor fab.

Which may mean Apple will be making Intel processors for Intel.

Such turn of events is quite probable, especially as with Intel's manufacturing setback US has effectively lost the semiconductor crown.