Apple May Get Green Light to Buy Chinese Memory Chips as Trump Dangles Deal Before Xi’s September Visit

The Trump administration is reportedly considering allowing Apple to procure memory chips from Chinese manufacturers CXMT (DRAM) and YMTC (NAND), potentially using the move as a diplomatic gesture ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's official visit to the United States in September.

According to a report from the Financial Times, Apple has been actively testing DRAM products from CXMT and NAND modules from YMTC, signaling that the company is seriously evaluating the integration of Chinese memory suppliers into its vast supply chain. This development comes despite CXMT being on a Pentagon blacklist due to its ties to the People's Liberation Army of China.

Apple has reportedly lobbied the Trump administration for clearance to purchase DRAM from CXMT, seeking to avoid any political backlash in Washington. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also reported that Apple is working closely with the White House to minimize potential fallout if it proceeds with procurement from the Chinese memory giants.

The potential deal is being framed by some analysts as a carrot offered to China ahead of Xi's visit, aimed at easing trade tensions while simultaneously helping Apple diversify its memory supply chain. Currently, Apple relies heavily on Samsung and SK Hynix for DRAM and NAND, making it vulnerable to supply disruptions and price fluctuations.

Experts rate the likelihood of this scenario as "plausible," assigning it a 60% probability on a scale from 0 to 100%. The move would mark a significant shift in U.S.-China tech relations, as it would involve a major American company sourcing critical components from a blacklisted Chinese entity. For Apple, it could provide greater supply chain resilience and cost advantages, though it also risks drawing criticism from U.S. lawmakers who view Chinese memory firms as security threats.

The decision is expected to be closely watched by both the tech industry and geopolitical observers, as it could set a precedent for future technology trade between the two countries.