Apple Seeks US Approval to Buy Memory Chips from Blacklisted Chinese Supplier

Apple is reportedly seeking approval from the Trump administration to purchase memory chips from Chinese manufacturer CXMT, which was recently added to the Pentagon's 1260H blacklist. Although Apple is not legally prohibited from working with CXMT, doing so without government clearance could trigger political backlash. The company is exploring this option to mitigate the ongoing global memory chip shortage, which has already forced Apple to raise prices across its MacBook and iPad Pro lines. Apple currently sources memory from Micron, Samsung and SK Hynix, but supply constraints remain severe. Members of Congress are expected to oppose the move, arguing that partnering with a company linked to China’s military would be a serious mistake.

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