Apple wanted to use Chinese memory from CXMT and others: The U.S. directly vetoed this!

Apple had previously planned to introduce storage chips produced by Chinese本土 manufacturers such as ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT). Based on the latest developments, this plan now has almost no chance of materializing.

Recently, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick issued a strongly worded warning to Apple during a public event, explicitly urging the company not to procure memory chips for its Mac product line from suppliers based in China, drawing a clear red line for Apple's subsequent plans.

Despite the ongoing global storage chip supply shortage crisis, Apple had already initiated compatibility testing of storage chips from China's CXMT early on to alleviate upstream supply pressure and reduce overall component costs. However, this supply chain optimization move, originally a commercial decision, has drawn fierce opposition from the Trump administration due to its involvement in core semiconductor technology cooperation between China and the U.S., making it highly politically sensitive.

After touring Apple's advanced manufacturing center in Houston, Lutnick explicitly stated to media that the Trump administration completely opposes Apple's cooperation plans with CXMT.

He also emphasized that American companies seeking to resolve supply chain tensions can certainly find alternative solutions, and bluntly stated that top-tier U.S. tech companies using memory chips produced in China is not something worth encouraging.

When a reporter asked on-site whether he had directly conveyed this clear opposition to Apple's management, Lutnick gave a brief and affirmative answer without any hesitation, saying it was obvious.

Looking back, Apple had formally submitted a petition to the Trump administration as early as June 27 this year, seeking official permission to purchase RAM memory chips produced by CXMT. Prior to receiving approval intent, Apple had already obtained test samples and completed multiple rounds of comprehensive performance and compatibility testing.

Unexpectedly, this supply chain optimization plan, seemingly driven purely by commercial interests, encountered enormous political and industry resistance under the combined pressure of conservative semiconductor factions in the U.S. and traditional American memory manufacturers. It now has virtually no chance of passing approval, forcing Apple to abandon this long-prepared backup supply chain plan.