Apple has a plan to fix its memory chip problem, but the US government says no
u/rdh2dmd ·
Reddit — r/stocks
· August 15, 2026 at 18:45
· ⬆ 25 pts
· 💬 25 comments
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Summary:
Supply Chain Pressure: Global chip shortages and rising memory prices are forcing Apple to seek new suppliers to meet device production demands.
Targeting Chinese Manufacturers: Apple has tested memory chips from Chinese suppliers CXMT and YMTC, as memory requires less custom engineering than other specialized iPhone components.
U.S. Political Resistance: U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and bipartisan lawmakers oppose the move, with the Trump administration explicitly advising Apple against buying from Chinese chipmakers.
Regulatory Barriers: CXMT and YMTC face heavy restrictions due to Pentagon designations as Chinese military companies and YMTC's placement on the Commerce Department's Entity List, raising potential legal export compliance issues.
Ongoing Dilemma: Despite Apple's $600 billion U.S. investment commitment and local manufacturing expansions, the company still struggles to secure non-Chinese memory suppliers without escalating political tensions in Washington.
https://www.digitaltrends.com/phones/apple-has-a-plan-to-fix-its-memory-chip-problem-but-the-us-government-says-no/