US Pressure on Apple Over Chinese Memory Chips Amid Supply Concerns

The Trump administration is actively discouraging Apple from purchasing memory chips manufactured by Chinese companies CXMT and YMTC. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has explicitly communicated Washington's opposition to Apple's reported testing of these components for devices sold within China.

While Apple is permitted to acquire standard, off-the-shelf parts from these Chinese suppliers, the administration's stance suggests a broader strategy to limit reliance on Chinese semiconductor technology. The potential for a continued shortage and elevated prices in the global RAM market is highlighted as a consequence of these geopolitical pressures and ongoing supply constraints.