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● TRACKER Updated 13d ago · 38 sources tracked

Apple seeks to buy memory chips from blacklisted Chinese company

Chinese memory maker CXMT is suing the US Department of Defense to be removed from the 1260H list of companies linked to the Chinese military. CXMT argues its chips follow standard civilian JEDEC specifications rather than being defense hardware. This legal action complicates Apple's current attempt to secure US government permission to buy RAM from the firm to reduce costs and diversify its supply chain. The lawsuit adds a legal layer to the existing geopolitical tension surrounding Apple's sourcing efforts.

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What changed

CXMT has filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon to challenge its designation as a Chinese military company.

Live updates

  1. CXMT sues Pentagon to remove itself from Chinese military blacklist

    Chinese memory maker CXMT is suing the US Department of Defense to be removed from the 1260H list of companies linked to the Chinese military. CXMT argues its chips follow standard civilian JEDEC specifications rather than being defense hardware. This legal action complicates Apple's current attempt to secure US government permission to buy RAM from the firm to reduce costs and diversify its supply chain. The lawsuit adds a legal layer to the existing geopolitical tension surrounding Apple's sourcing efforts.

    Why it matters

    Apple previously sought a waiver to purchase chips from CXMT despite its blacklisted status. The Trump administration may use this approval as leverage during a September summit with President Xi Jinping. CXMT also faces long-term capacity constraints that could limit the volume of chips available to Apple.

    What is confirmed

    • CXMT is suing the US Department of Defense to be removed from the blacklist of companies linked to the Chinese military.
    • CXMT claims its chips are standard civilian JEDEC spec and not defense hardware.
    • The company is listed on the 1260H list.

    What to watch next

    • The outcome of the CXMT lawsuit against the Pentagon.
    • Results of the September summit between the Trump administration and President Xi Jinping.
    • US government decision on Apple's request to purchase CXMT chips.
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. www.globaltimes.cn — CXMT's lawsuit pushes back against groundless US tech bullying
    2. finance.yahoo.com — China's top DRAM maker CXMT sues Pentagon over its blacklisting — argues chips are standard civilian JEDEC spec, not defense hardware
    3. appleinsider.com — Potential Apple RAM supplier CXMT sues feds to take it off the supplier blacklist
    4. www.idropnews.com — Chinese Chipmaker CXMT Sues Pentagon Amid Apple Supply Drama
    5. www.mactrast.com — Chinese RAM supplier CXMT Takes Pentagon to Court Over Supplier Blacklist
    confidence 100%

  2. Apple seeks US government clearance for blacklisted CXMT memory chips

    Apple has requested US government permission to purchase memory chips from the blacklisted Chinese firm CXMT to lower costs and diversify its supply chain. The request is now tied to US-China geopolitics, with reports suggesting the Trump administration may use the approval as a bargaining chip during a September summit with President Xi Jinping. Even if political clearance is granted, CXMT faces long-term capacity constraints that may prevent Apple from securing the necessary volume of chips.

    Why it matters

    Apple is attempting to mitigate memory shortages driven by AI demand. CXMT is designated as a Chinese military company by the Pentagon, making purchases subject to strict US security regulations.

    What is confirmed

    • Apple requested US government clearance to buy memory from blacklisted chipmaker CXMT.
    • Apple wants to diversify its supply chain to reduce pressure from increasing memory costs.

    Still unconfirmed

    • CXMT capacity constraints could prevent Apple from obtaining the desired supply even with political approval.

    What to watch next

    • The outcome of the September summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
    • Official US government decision on Apple's request for CXMT clearance.
    Sources used for this update (6)
    1. appleinsider.com — Trump may use Apple Chinese RAM buy request as diplomatic tool
    2. www.idropnews.com — Is Apple About to Get a Trump-Approved Pass on Chinese Memory Chips?
    3. www.digitimes.com — Trump weighs Apple China chip deal as CXMT runs full
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    6. www.briefs.co — Italian Energy Firm Expands Venezuela Operations Amid US Push
    confidence 80%

  3. Apple tests CXMT memory chips amid US Senate pressure

    Apple is testing memory chips from China's CXMT for iPhones and MacBooks to combat an AI-driven supply shortage. Despite these tests, the company faces a bipartisan Senate deadline of August 21 to reject suppliers designated as Chinese military companies by the Pentagon. This effort to diversify the supply chain is complicated by CXMT's refusal to offer discounts compared to Samsung and SK Hynix, removing the financial incentive for Apple to bypass US security concerns.

    Why it matters

    The Trump administration considers CXMT a Chinese military company. Apple is lobbying for permission to use these components in devices sold outside the US to mitigate a global memory crunch.

    What is confirmed

    • Apple is testing memory chips from CXMT for iPhones and MacBooks.
    • Seven senators gave Tim Cook until August 21 to reject Pentagon-designated Chinese memory suppliers.
    • CXMT has refused to discount its chip prices.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Competitors are already shipping hardware overseas featuring CXMT RAM.
    • The Trump administration considers the chipmaker a Chinese military company.

    What to watch next

    • Tim Cook's response to the Senate deadline on August 21
    • Official confirmation of whether Apple integrates CXMT chips into non-US hardware
    Sources used for this update (4)
    1. thenextweb.com — Apple is testing Chinese memory chips as the AI shortage bites
    2. appleinsider.com — Apple tested Chinese memory chips for the Mac, rivals shipping
    3. www.techtimes.com — Senate Demands Cook Reject Chinese Chips Apple Already Couldn’t Afford
    4. gizmodo.com — Apple Reportedly Testing Controversial Chinese Chips as Memory Supply Crunch Intensifies
    confidence 90%

  4. CXMT price demands foil Apple's bid for cheaper Chinese memory chips

    Apple's attempt to lower RAM costs via Chinese supplier ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) has failed because CXMT is demanding prices equal to those of Samsung and SK Hynix. This development undermines Apple's strategy to use blacklisted suppliers to mitigate an AI-driven memory shortage. While Apple continues to lobby the Trump administration for permission to use these chips in non-US devices, the lack of a cost advantage removes a primary incentive for the deal. US senators continue to pressure CEO Tim Cook to reject components from CXMT and Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. (YMTC).

    Why it matters

    Apple is facing a global memory shortage driven by AI demand. To solve this, the company sought cheaper alternatives from blacklisted Chinese firms. This move triggered opposition from US senators and competitor Micron.

    What is confirmed

    • Apple sought lower RAM prices from Chinese supplier CXMT to address memory shortages and pricing.
    • CXMT is demanding the same prices for RAM as Samsung.
    • US senators are urging Apple to reject memory chips from CXMT and YMTC due to procurement, export-control, and supply-chain concerns.

    Still unconfirmed

    • CXMT is demanding the same prices as SK Hynix.

    What to watch next

    • Apple's response to the senators' August 21 deadline
    • The Trump administration's decision on Apple's request to use blacklisted chips outside the US
    Sources used for this update (4)
    1. www.eweek.com — Senators Press Apple to Reject Chinese Memory Chips From CXMT and YMTC
    2. www.idropnews.com — Apple’s Cheap RAM Strategy Just Went Down in Flames
    3. www.mactrast.com — Chinese RAM Supplier Foils Apple’s Bid for Cheaper RAM Prices
    4. www.mactech.com — Apple’s plans to buy memory from Chinese companies backfires
    confidence 90%

  5. Apple's bid for cheap Chinese memory chips fails as CXMT matches top prices

    Apple's effort to secure lower-cost RAM from blacklisted Chinese supplier ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) has failed. CXMT is demanding prices equal to those of Samsung and SK Hynix, removing the financial incentive for Apple to use the supplier. This development occurs while a bipartisan group of US senators pressures CEO Tim Cook to abandon ties with CXMT and Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. (YMTC) due to procurement and export-control concerns. Apple had previously sought Trump administration permission to use these chips for devices sold outside the US to address AI-driven shortages.

    Why it matters

    The US government maintains a blacklist of Chinese tech firms to curb strategic dependencies. Apple's attempt to source from these firms would challenge current export controls and procurement standards. Micron is actively lobbying the administration to block Apple's requests.

    What is confirmed

    • Apple attempted to secure cheaper RAM from Chinese supplier CXMT.
    • CXMT is demanding prices for its RAM that match those of Samsung.
    • US senators are urging Apple to reject memory chips from CXMT and YMTC.

    Still unconfirmed

    • CXMT is demanding the same prices as SK Hynix.
    • Apple's plan to use CXMT was specifically intended to combat an ongoing memory shortage and pricing issues.

    What to watch next

    • Apple's formal response to the US senators by August 21.
    • The Trump administration's decision on Apple's request to use Chinese chips in non-US devices.
    Sources used for this update (4)
    1. www.eweek.com — Senators Press Apple to Reject Chinese Memory Chips From CXMT and YMTC
    2. www.idropnews.com — Apple’s Cheap RAM Strategy Just Went Down in Flames
    3. www.mactrast.com — Chinese RAM Supplier Foils Apple’s Bid for Cheaper RAM Prices
    4. www.mactech.com — Apple’s plans to buy memory from Chinese companies backfires
    confidence 90%

  6. Bipartisan Senate pressure mounts against Apple's use of Chinese memory chips

    A bipartisan group of US senators is urging Apple and CEO Tim Cook to abandon plans to source memory chips from blacklisted Chinese suppliers, including ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) and Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. (YMTC). The senators have requested a commitment from Apple by August 21 to reject these components. This pressure comes as Apple lobbies the Trump administration for permission to use these chips in devices sold outside the US to combat an AI-driven memory shortage. Micron is also lobbying the administration to oppose Apple's request.

    Why it matters

    The US government has blacklisted several Chinese chipmakers over national security and military links. Apple seeks these alternatives to avoid price increases caused by a global shortage of DRAM. This puts the White House in a position to choose between promoting domestic chip production and lowering consumer costs.

    What is confirmed

    • US senators from both parties are urging Apple to commit by August 21 to not use memory chips from Chinese suppliers.
    • The senators' request includes abandoning the use of memory from CXMT and YMTC.
    • Apple is lobbying the Trump administration to allow the purchase of memory chips from CXMT for non-US devices.
    • Micron is lobbying the US administration to oppose Apple's purchase of chips from CXMT.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Apple intends to use China-sourced chips specifically for products sold within China.

    What to watch next

    • Apple's response or commitment to the Senate by August 21
    • The Trump administration's final decision on Apple's request to buy from CXMT
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. www.digitimes.com — Apple, Micron's clash over CXMT puts White House in the middle
    2. 9to5mac.com — Apple faces bipartisan Senate pushback over plans to buy Chinese memory chips
    3. appleinsider.com — US senators urge Apple to abandon plans for Chinese-made chips
    4. www.idropnews.com — Senators Tell Apple to Drop the Chinese Memory Chips
    5. www.theverge.com — Senators call on Apple to not buy Chinese-made RAM chips.
    confidence 90%

  7. Apple Lobbies US Government for Blacklisted Chinese Memory Chips

    Apple is seeking approval from the Trump administration to purchase memory chips from blacklisted Chinese suppliers. The company aims to mitigate a global memory shortage that has caused product price increases. These efforts are primarily focused on securing DRAM from ChangXin Memory Technologies Inc.

    What's confirmed:

    • Apple is seeking US government approval to purchase memory chips from blacklisted Chinese companies.
    • The Financial Times reports that Apple is lobbying for access to chips from ChangXin Memory Technologies Inc. (CXMT).
    • Apple is pursuing these deals to reduce the impact of a global memory shortage.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Apple is seeking approval for chip purchases from Longsys.
    Sources used for this update (23)
    1. Apple seeks to buy memory chips from blacklisted Chinese company
    2. Apple seeks approval to buy chips from blacklisted Chinese company, FT reports
    3. Apple Seeks US Approval to Buy Chips From Blacklisted CXMT: FT
    4. Apple and Google consider adopting Chinese memory chips: three obstacles remain
    5. AI: US hamstrung on Memory Chip Supply via China. AI-RTZ #1128
    6. Apple Seeks Approval for Chip Purchases from China's Longsys (AA
    7. Foreign media: Apple seeks approval to purchase memory chips from ChangXin Storage
    8. Apple asks Trump admin to approve Chinese RAM after product price increases
    9. Apple Is Now Begging The Trump Administration For Access To Blacklisted DRAM From CXMT, As iPhone 18 Pro’s Memory Costs Threaten To Triple
    10. Apple Is Reportedly Looking To Buy Chips From A US-Blacklisted Chinese Company
    11. Apple Lobbies U.S. for Chinese Memory Chips
    12. Apple seeks U.S. approval to buy chips from blacklisted CXMT: FT
    confidence 90%