Apple Seeks White House Approval for Chinese Memory Chips

Apple Inc. is testing memory chips from ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) for use in iPhones and MacBooks to mitigate a global RAM shortage. The shortage, driven by the artificial intelligence boom, has caused memory prices to quadruple over the past year and forced Apple to raise prices for iPads and MacBooks in June.

Apple is currently lobbying the Trump administration for approval to use these chips in products sold within China. While other laptop manufacturers like HP Inc. and Acer Inc. have already integrated CXMT chips into devices sold outside the United States, Apple is seeking specific government clearance to proceed with the partnership.

U.S. lawmakers, including Senators Jim Banks and Chuck Schumer, have voiced bipartisan opposition to the move. Opponents argue that reliance on CXMT and Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. (YMTC) creates national security risks due to their links to the Chinese military. Lawmakers have urged Apple to abandon the pursuit of Chinese RAM by August 21, warning that the deal could jeopardize the U.S. government's use of Apple products.

Simultaneously, Apple has suggested the government use the Defense Production Act or make CHIPS Act funding conditional on broader chip allocation. However, the White House remains reluctant to divert chips from AI data centers to avoid losing a competitive edge over China. Meanwhile, U.S.-based manufacturers like Micron Technology are pushing for increased restrictions on Chinese competitors while seeking funding to expand domestic production.