Trump Administration Tells Apple to Find 'Other Solutions' Regarding Consideration of Chinese Memory Chips

The U.S. Donald Trump administration has begun applying pressure on Apple as the company considers using Chinese-made memory chips.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 13th (local time) that U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick conveyed the stance that it is undesirable for Apple to use Chinese memory chips.

In an interview, Secretary Lutnick stated, "It is not desirable for great U.S. companies to use Chinese memory."

Apple is reportedly considering the use of memory produced by China's ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) and Yangtze Memory Technologies Corp (YMTC) as a countermeasure against rising memory prices.

It is reported that if Apple actually adopts Chinese memory, it is likely to use it primarily for products sold in China.

Apple Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sabih Khan did not confirm whether the company is considering Chinese memory, but stated, "Given the scale of the supply shortage, we must examine all options."

However, Secretary Lutnick drew a line, stating, "There must be other solutions to the memory issue."

CXMT is a company listed on the "1260H list" designated by the U.S. Department of Defense as a firm supporting the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

While U.S. companies require government approval to provide product information to CXMT and YMTC, purchasing the legacy memory chips they produce is not subject to regulation.

However, opposition is growing regarding Apple's potential use of Chinese memory, including from U.S. politicians and American memory chip maker Micron.

Micron has reportedly communicated to the White House that Apple's use of Chinese memory goes against the Trump administration's policy of bringing manufacturing back to the United States.

U.S. senators representing New York, Indiana, and Idaho—states where Micron production facilities are located—also urged Apple CEO Tim Cook last month not to cooperate with Chinese companies.

The Trump administration is using tariffs as leverage to pressure American companies, including Apple, to relocate their overseas production facilities and supply chains to the United States.

Secretary Lutnick noted that he is demanding Apple expand production within the U.S., stating, "Apple has built its supply chain based on low-wage labor, but now it must build its supply chain based on advanced manufacturing."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.