The US states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania are reportedly vying hard to become home to a major new Foxconn plant employing 50,000 people to make components for Apple iPhones, as the group itself confirmed to China Daily it was on the hunt for a manufacturing site.

The company's admission followed media reports that Wisconsin was in talks with Foxconn to build a $7 billion display-making plant, months after news that Foxconn CEO Terry Gou met with a representative of Pennsylvania's economic development agency to potentially invest in the state. Michigan is also said to be pursuing a deal.

Representatives from Wisconsin and Michigan's economic development offices declined to comment, saying that they do not discuss any pending or potential opportunities. A representative from Pennsylvania also did not respond.