With the global memory chip shortage continuing, Apple is reportedly considering buying Chinese-made memory chips.
The Financial Times (FT) reported on the 26th (local time) that Apple is lobbying the U.S. Department of Commerce and government officials in the Donald Trump administration to approve purchases of Chinese-made memory chips. The company drawing Apple's interest is China's DRAM maker Changxin Memory Technologies (CXMT).
CXMT is on the U.S. Department of Defense's list of Chinese military companies for alleged ties to the People's Liberation Army. Being placed on the list does not immediately trigger legal sanctions, but counterpart corporations could face reputational pressure and political risk.
Behind Apple's review of buying Chinese chips is rising memory prices. As production expense has increased recently due to a shortage of memory semiconductors, Apple has a greater need to diversify its supply chain. The company recently raised MacBook and iPad prices, citing higher memory prices.
However, House Select Committee on China Chairperson John Moolenaar criticized that Apple working with a Chinese military corporations could be a serious mistake. Earlier, Marco Rubio, who is now the secretary of state and was a senator in 2022, strongly opposed Apple's review of using memory chips from China's YMTC. YMTC, a NAND flash maker, is also a corporations on the list of Chinese military companies.