One of Apple’s proposed solutions – or at least mitigations – for the memory shortage was to buy RAM from two Chinese companies, CXMT and YMTC.
While it was not technically banned from doing so, this would have put it into conflict with the US government, and the idea is now looking even less likely thanks to two developments …
Back in June, we learned that Apple was seeking clearance from the Trump administration to buy memory chips from China. There was no actual legal block to the company doing this, but the Pentagon blacklist means that Apple using chips from the two companies might have seen iPhones being banned for use by some or all federal employees. Additionally, it would risk the Cupertino company at risk of paying a high political or PR price.
We said at the time that it seemed unlikely the iPhone maker would be given the clearance it sought, and the latest reports appear to add further nails to the coffin.
First, while it wouldn’t currently be illegal to purchase from either of the Chinese companies, the New York Times reports that this may soon be changing.
Representatives John Moolenaar, Republican of Michigan and chair of the House Select Committee on China, and George Whitesides, Democrat of California, sent a letter to Mr. Lutnick, urging the Commerce Department to add CXMT to the entity list and to prohibit American companies from buying from companies on the list.
Second, even if this doesn’t happen, the WSJ reports that CXMT wouldn’t be in a position to fill Apple orders anyway.
CXMT wouldn’t be a panacea for Apple. The Chinese company has maxed out its production capacity this year, leaving little room for new international clients, the people familiar with the matter said.
I previously described this as an unlikely solution; I’m now calling it exceedingly so.
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Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!
