Micron Reportedly Push Backs Against Apple's Request to Use Chinese Memory Chips

According to foreign media reports, Apple and Micron Technology are both lobbying the Trump administration over the use of Chinese memory chips, but from completely opposing positions.

Apple has approached government officials with a request to be allowed to use memory chips from CXMT and YMTC in devices sold outside the United States. Apple argues that bringing in Chinese suppliers would help alleviate the global memory shortage and curb upward price pressure on U.S. consumers. According to reports, Apple CEO Tim Cook has discussed the proposal with President Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Micron Technology, however, has been actively lobbying against Apple's request. Micron executives have warned that allowing U.S. tech companies to source from Chinese manufacturers, regardless of where the final products are sold, would undermine the development of domestic U.S. manufacturing. Micron contends that rising consumer electronics prices are not driven solely by memory costs. The company has pledged $250 billion in U.S. manufacturing investment and says that accelerating the construction of domestic plants could address supply gaps without relying on Chinese producers.

The starkly divergent positions of Apple and Micron have left the U.S. government caught between a difficult trade-off of curbing consumer prices versus expanding domestic semiconductor production.