Paul Ryan: Steps Being Taken To Secure Foxconn Deal

House Speaker Paul Ryan says he’s optimistic Foxconn will live up to its promise to build at least one plant in Wisconsin. The Republican commented on the project late Thursday afternoon at an event in his hometown of Janesville.

Skeptics of the Taiwanese tech company’s plan to build an electronics factory in southeastern Wisconsin note Foxconn has pulled out of other projects around the globe, including one in Pennsylvania. Ryan said he and state officials are going the extra mile to secure the Wisconsin deal.

“I think you have a memorandum of understanding that was signed by the governor. I think you have the kind of relationships — I met with Rockwell Automation today, who’s working very, very closely on a daily basis with Foxconn, as well. So we are deep into this, deeper than any other state was with Foxconn,” Ryan said.

However, Ryan backed away from comments he made Wednesday that he expects more than one Foxconn facility in Wisconsin. He said he’d defer to the governor’s office on possible locations. Gov. Scott Walker is calling talk of a second Foxconn site media speculation.