2026-08-15 · regulation

US presses Apple to avoid Chinese memory chips amid shortage - WSJ reports

Apple in Early Talks with Chinese Chipmaker CXMT for Memory Chips

Apple is reportedly evaluating memory chips produced by Chinese manufacturer CXMT for potential use in its devices, including iPhones and MacBooks, according to reports covered by Fox Business. The move comes as the company seeks alternatives amid a global shortage of memory chips.

Fox Business, citing a Wall Street Journal report from Sunday, said Apple has held early discussions with CXMT about supplying chips for devices sold in China. Apple is seeking approval from the White House for the arrangement, which could face scrutiny under regulations designed to prevent U.S. firms from transferring technology and sensitive data to Chinese companies, including CXMT.

The Journal noted that while current rules permit Apple to purchase off-the-shelf components from CXMT, the company cannot order custom chips built to its specifications. If the deal proceeds, Apple might need to redesign parts of its products for the Chinese market to accommodate standard CXMT chips.

Separately, laptop makers HP and Acer have secured limited quantities of memory chips and are seeking additional supplies for next year, as previously reported by Nikkei Asia and cited by the Journal. Apple has raised prices on products globally, attributing the increases to surging memory chip costs driven by demand from artificial intelligence companies.

CXMT is described as the largest chipmaking company in China by market value and has emerged as the world's fastest-growing supplier of DRAM memory chips. The Journal reported that CXMT has maxed out its production this year and is prioritizing domestic tech companies in China, with a goal to more than double its current production capacity by 2028. Reuters previously reported that the firm was considering building a second memory chip plant in Beijing.

U.S. companies face restrictions in dealings with CXMT because it is on a Pentagon list due to links with the Chinese military. The list indicates CXMT is directly and indirectly affiliated with China's Ministry of Information Technology and indirectly linked to an agency that oversees state-owned enterprises.

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