Apple is actively lobbying the US government for permission to purchase memory chips from Chinese manufacturers currently placed on the Pentagon’s blacklist, according to a report by Jornal de Negócios.
The Cupertino tech giant is negotiating with two semiconductor firms, including ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), to secure critical components amid a persistent global shortage.
The move underscores the depth of the supply constraints that have already forced Apple to raise prices on Mac and iPad devices by up to 25%.
The move underscores the depth of the supply constraints that have already forced Apple to raise prices on Mac and iPad devices by up to 25%.
With AI-driven demand straining memory supplies, the company is seeking regulatory exemptions to bypass US export controls that typically restrict transactions with blacklisted Chinese entities.
This development marks a significant escalation in Apple’s efforts to stabilize its supply chain.
Previous reports indicated that the company was already in discussions with CXMT, but the current push for formal government approval suggests that standard procurement channels are insufficient to meet production needs.