Apple is seeking approval from the US government to purchase memory chips from Chinese chipmaker ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT). The effort comes as the iPhone maker faces higher component costs and a global shortage of memory chips.
The company has contacted the US Commerce Department and other officials within President Donald Trump’s administration, according to people familiar with the discussions. Apple wants clear assurances that future US trade restrictions will not disrupt any supply agreement with CXMT.
Apple is not currently barred from buying chips from CXMT. Nevertheless, the Chinese company appears on the Pentagon’s 1260H list of businesses with “alleged connections” to China’s military. The designation creates political and business risks, although it does not automatically block commercial deals.
The reported talks began more than a month ago. Apple has since contacted officials across the administration and people with influence in Washington. The company is seeking government support before adding CXMT to its supply network, as any later restrictions could disrupt production.
Apple also wants assurances that the Commerce Department will not place CXMT on the Entity List. Such a move would introduce strict licensing rules and could limit the Chinese chipmaker’s access to US technology. It could also make it harder for American companies to purchase their products.
The White House has not publicly stated whether it will approve Apple’s request. Apple also declined to comment on the reported lobbying campaign. Therefore, it remains unclear whether the company will receive the guarantees it is seeking.
Apple raised prices for Mac computers, iPads, home devices and the Vision Pro headset this week. The company linked the increases to higher memory and storage costs, which have placed more pressure on its hardware business.
Chief Executive Tim Cook recently said that Apple had limited options as component prices increased. He described current memory costs as “unsustainable” and said “everything needs to be on the table” when discussing possible suppliers. His comments suggested that Apple could consider Chinese memory producers where US rules allow such purchases.
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The price increases contributed to a sharp decline in Apple shares and erased about $263 billion from its market value in one trading session. Investors also sold shares in other technology companies amid concerns that expensive components could reduce demand for consumer devices.
Memory shortages have affected companies across the technology sector. Several manufacturers have increased prices, adjusted production plans or looked for alternative suppliers. Apple warned earlier that the shortage could become more severe over the year.
Some US lawmakers oppose any arrangement between Apple and CXMT. House China Committee Chair John Moolenaar called a possible partnership a “grave mistake.” He argued that the deal could make the US technology industry more dependent on Chinese supply chains.
US officials previously raised similar concerns when Apple considered buying memory chips from Yangtze Memory Technologies, or YMTC, in 2022. Both YMTC and CXMT were recently restored to the Pentagon’s 1260H list after briefly being removed.
Apple currently purchases DRAM memory from Micron Technology, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. However, increased demand for high-bandwidth memory used in artificial intelligence systems has reduced the supply of standard memory chips for phones, computers and other devices.
CXMT is expanding its position in China’s semiconductor industry and has received approval for a Shanghai listing. Access to its chips could give Apple another source of lower-cost memory. Still, any agreement would depend on US government policy and future trade decisions involving China.