Apple is seeking an exception from the Trump administration to buy RAM chips from CXMT, a Chinese memory manufacturer blacklisted by the Pentagon for alleged ties to the People's Liberation Army. The request aims to ease supply chain pressure amid soaring prices for memory and storage. Apple has raised prices on nearly all its products this week, partly due to these cost increases.
The move highlights the tension between Apple's need for affordable components and geopolitical restrictions on technology trade. CXMT's blacklisted status stems from national security concerns, but doing business with it carries reputational risks for Apple. Any deal would require official U.S. government approval.
The Financial Times reported the development, noting that Apple is not legally barred from buying from CXMT but faces scrutiny. The chipmaker's inclusion on the Pentagon's blacklist dates from 2020, with allegations of PLA affiliation that CXMT has denied. Memory prices have climbed sharply this year amid global shortages and trade disruptions.
If approved, the exception could lower Apple's component costs and restore some pricing flexibility. However, critics argue it undermines U.S. efforts to curb technology flows to China-linked entities. Approval would also set a precedent for other companies seeking exceptions from similar blacklists.
Some analysts caution that public opposition or regulatory backlash could outweigh any savings from the deal. The outcome remains uncertain as the administration weighs commercial interests against national security priorities.