U.S. Opposes Apple's Chinese Memory Chip Plans

Apple's efforts to address a global memory chip shortage by exploring purchases from Chinese suppliers have been firmly rebuffed by the Trump administration, creating a standoff between the tech giant and Washington over costs, supply chains, and national security. The company has been testing memory chips from Chinese firms ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) and Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC) as a potential solution to soaring component prices driven by surging demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure. However, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated clearly that the administration opposes any such move.

In an interview following a visit to an Apple manufacturing site in Houston, Texas, Lutnick said, "The Trump administration is not in favor of that." He added, "There have to be other solutions to the memory issue, but it's not great American companies using Chinese memory." When asked if he had delivered this message directly to Apple, Lutnick confirmed he had, "plainly." His comments came shortly after he toured the facility alongside Apple CEO Tim Cook and Senator Ted Cruz, part of Apple's announced $600 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing.