Key Moments
- Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) has sought approval from multiple U.S. government bodies to buy memory chips from Chinese supplier ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT).
- AAPL shares traded around 0.4% higher at $285.10 in premarket after a 3.1% gain to $283.78 in the prior session.
- Apple recently increased prices on select iPad and MacBook models, citing higher memory and storage costs amid surging AI-related chip demand.
Apple Moves to Secure Alternative Memory Supply
Investing.com — Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) has been pressing the Trump administration to allow it to procure memory chips from ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), a Chinese semiconductor manufacturer that has been blacklisted by the United States, as the company contends with escalating component expenses.
The Financial Times, citing individuals described as familiar with the situation, reported that Apple has in recent weeks reached out to the White House, the Commerce Department and other administration officials in an effort to obtain authorization to purchase memory products from CXMT.
Market Reaction
Apple shares traded higher in early activity, advancing about 0.4% to $285.10 in premarket trading after ending the previous session up 3.1% at $283.78 on Friday.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Prior close (Friday) | $283.78 |
| Friday move | +3.1% |
| Premarket move | +0.4% |
| Premarket price | $285.10 |
Rising Memory Costs Amid AI-Driven Demand
The push to engage CXMT comes as Apple faces higher prices for DRAM and NAND components. According to the report, those cost pressures are being fueled primarily by strong demand tied to artificial intelligence applications, which has lifted pricing across the broader consumer electronics sector.
These dynamics have placed major U.S. technology firms in a challenging position. On one hand, Washington has been tightening curbs on Chinese semiconductor companies; on the other, AI-related demand has continued to drive memory prices higher, pressuring margins and supply chains.
Regulatory Constraints Around CXMT
CXMT, described as China’s largest memory chip producer, has been labeled a Chinese military company by the Pentagon and has been cleared for inclusion on the Commerce Department’s Entity List. In general, exports of U.S. goods, software and technology to entities on that list require a government license, and such licenses are typically presumed to be denied.
Apple’s Recent Price Increases
The report noted that Apple last week raised prices on certain iPad and MacBook models. The company cited increased memory and storage component costs, stating that these expenses could no longer be fully absorbed as AI infrastructure spending pushes chip demand – and therefore costs – higher.
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