Apple Lobbies US to Buy Chips from Blacklisted Chinese Firm CXMT
Apple is lobbying the Trump administration for approval to purchase DRAM memory chips from ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), a Chinese company blacklisted by the Pentagon over alleged military ties. Facing soaring memory chip costs due to AI demand—which forced Apple to raise MacBook and iPad prices—Apple seeks relief from U.S. trade restrictions. The move faces political opposition from key lawmakers, highlighting tensions between corporate supply chains and national security.
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Apple begins testing CXMT chips for devices sold in China, FT says
Apple has begun testing DRAM chips from China's state-backed ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) for devices sold within China, and is lobbying the U.S. government to permit broader use of CXMT's products, according to a Financial Times report. The move comes amid geopolitical tensions over China's tech ambitions. CXMT, the world's fourth-largest DRAM producer, is central to Beijing's self-sufficient AI supply chain plans and is expected to raise at least $4.3 billion in an upcoming IPO. The U.S. has held off blacklisting CXMT to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing. Industry observers fear a repeat of patterns seen in solar panels and EVs, where state-backed capacity expansion led to falling global prices and squeezed foreign rivals. Apple and CXMT did not immediately respond to CNBC's requests for comment.
US Top News and AnalysisApple seeks to buy Chinese-made memory chips with lobbying push
Apple is reportedly seeking to purchase memory components from Chinese manufacturers ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) and Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC) for use in devices sold in China. The company is engaging in a lobbying push to facilitate these purchases. Both CXMT and YMTC are on the US Defense Department's list of entities believed to support Beijing's military, which could complicate the deal due to US national security concerns. The article, published by The Business Times Singapore on July 1, 2026, highlights the tension between Apple's supply chain needs in the Chinese market and US regulatory restrictions on Chinese tech firms.
The Business TimesApple Lobbies to Use Chinese Memory Chips Despite US Military Concerns
Apple is making a lobbying push to purchase memory components from Chinese manufacturers ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) and Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC) for use in devices sold in China. Both companies are currently listed by the US Defense Department as entities believed to support Beijing's military. This development highlights the tension between Apple's operational needs in the Chinese market and US national security restrictions on Chinese tech suppliers. The move could signal Apple's efforts to diversify its supply chain while navigating geopolitical constraints.
The Business TimesApple Seeks Trump Administration Approval to Source Memory Chips from Chinese CXMT
Loop Capital reiterated its Buy rating on Apple (AAPL) on June 29, reporting that the company is looking to China for memory supply relief. According to The Financial Times, Apple has launched a lobbying campaign seeking clearance from the Trump administration to procure DRAM chips from ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), a Chinese firm blacklisted by the Pentagon due to alleged ties to the Chinese military. The Pentagon's updated 1260H list blacklists CXMT and YMTC among other Chinese entities. Although Apple is not legally prohibited from buying from CXMT, such deals carry reputational risks. Apple is a major technology company known for consumer electronics, software, and services.
Yahoo FinanceApple seeks US approval to buy chips from blacklisted Chinese memory chipmaker CXMT
Apple is lobbying the Trump administration for permission to purchase memory chips from ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), a Chinese company blacklisted by the Pentagon, according to a Financial Times report. The iPhone maker has approached the Commerce Department and other White House officials over the past month, seeking to ease financial pressure from rising memory chip prices driven by AI industry demand. CXMT, China's top memory chipmaker, was designated as a Chinese military company under the Biden administration and added to the Entity List, meaning U.S. companies must obtain a license—likely to be denied—to ship goods, software, or technology to it. Apple recently raised iPad and MacBook prices, citing inability to shield customers from soaring memory and storage costs. The White House, Apple, and CXMT did not respond to requests for comment.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Apple Lobbies US Government to Buy Cheaper Memory Chips from Chinese Blacklisted Firm CXMT
According to the Financial Times, Apple is lobbying the U.S. government for approval to purchase memory chips (DRAM) from China's CXMT, a manufacturer designated as a Chinese military company on the 1260H list but not fully banned. This comes after Apple raised prices on MacBooks and iPads for the first time amid soaring memory costs. CXMT offers cheaper RAM without the AI-driven price premiums of major suppliers like Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix. U.S. officials, including House China committee chairman John Moolenaar, oppose the move, warning against reliance on foreign military-linked supply chains. The decision is complicated by the upcoming leadership change at Apple, with Tim Cook handing over to John Ternus in September. The article notes CXMT already supplies DDR5 modules to Corsair and other OEMs, signaling its entry into the mainstream market.
Latest from Tom's HardwareApple Lobbies Trump Administration to Buy Chips from Blacklisted Chinese Supplier CXMT
Apple has reportedly lobbied the Trump administration for permission to purchase memory chips from ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), a Chinese manufacturer blacklisted by the Pentagon over alleged links to the People's Liberation Army. The move comes as an AI-driven boom in semiconductor demand has led to soaring memory chip prices, forcing Apple to raise Macbook and iPad prices by about 20%. Apple has spent over a month approaching the Commerce Department and other US officials for reassurance, despite CXMT being on a Defense Department blacklist and approved for inclusion on the Commerce Department's Entity List (not yet implemented). CXMT's revenue surged 700% year-on-year amid the global DRAM shortage. The lobbying faces political resistance, with House China Committee Chair John Moolenaar calling any partnership with CXMT 'a grave mistake.' Apple already sources from Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix, but those suppliers are prioritizing high-margin AI memory products.
City AMApple seeks approval to buy chips from blacklisted Chinese company: FT
According to a Financial Times report, Apple Inc. has approached the White House seeking approval to purchase memory chips from a Chinese company that is currently on a U.S. blacklist. The iPhone maker is lobbying for relief to ease financial pressure caused by rising memory chip prices. Apple approached the Commerce Department more than a month ago and also engaged other administration officials and allies in Washington. The move highlights the ongoing tension between U.S. technology supply chains and national security restrictions, as Apple attempts to secure more competitive pricing on components critical to its product lines.
The Business TimesApple Seeks US Approval to Buy Chips from Blacklisted Chinese Firm
According to a Financial Times report cited by The Business Times, Apple is lobbying the White House for approval to purchase memory chips from a Chinese company that is on a U.S. trade blacklist. The iPhone maker has approached the Commerce Department and other administration officials to secure relief, aiming to ease financial pressure caused by rising memory chip prices. The article highlights the tension between corporate supply chain needs and U.S. national security restrictions on Chinese technology firms.
The Business Times