Apple Presses Trump Administration to Approve Chip Purchases from Blacklisted Chinese Supplier

Apple is urgently seeking approval from the Trump administration to purchase memory chips from Chinese manufacturer CXMT, which is blacklisted by the U.S. Pentagon as a Chinese military-linked company. This move aims to address the global shortage of DRAM chips, which has driven up production costs and forced Apple to raise prices on MacBook Pro and iPad Pro models by $300 and $200 respectively.

The shortage stems from chipmakers prioritizing advanced memory chips for AI server farms, reducing availability of standard DRAM used in consumer devices. Adding CXMT as a fourth supplier alongside Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron could increase competition and lower supply costs, potentially allowing Apple to reverse recent price hikes.

However, the proposal faces strong opposition in Washington, where lawmakers warn that cooperating with a company linked to the Chinese military would be a "serious mistake" that strengthens the Chinese Communist Party’s control over critical supply chains. Critics also fear that granting Apple an exemption could undermine U.S. chipmaker Micron and efforts to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States.

It remains uncertain whether the White House will grant Apple the requested clearance. The debate highlights the tension between economic pressures from the global chip shortage and national security concerns amid U.S.-China technological rivalry.