Apple seeks waiver to buy DRAM from blacklisted Chinese supplier CXMT

Apple has formally requested an exception from the U.S. administration to source DRAM chips from CXMT, a Chinese memory supplier on the Pentagon’s Entity List [The Verge].

What happened

The filing this week points to a 30% jump in DRAM prices that would cut roughly $15 billion from Apple’s projected 2026 operating margin, prompting the company to raise prices across its product lineup [The Verge]. CXMT, founded in 2020, is a fast‑growing competitor to Samsung and SK Hynix, but its Entity List status means any U.S. firm must obtain a specific waiver before buying its components.

Legally Apple can purchase CXMT chips, yet the designation forces the request to go through the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, which only grants waivers when no viable domestic alternative exists.

Why it matters

• The waiver would test the reach of U.S. export controls; a high‑profile exception could become a reference point for other tech firms seeking similar relief.
• It highlights the fragility of the global DRAM market, where Samsung and SK Hynix supply about 70% of capacity, so price spikes quickly ripple through downstream manufacturers.
• Integrating CXMT chips would require firmware updates and extended validation cycles for Apple’s iPhone and Mac architectures, potentially delaying product launches.

Reader poll

Which supply‑chain risk strategy do you back?

• Push for government waivers to keep cheap Chinese components
• Diversify away from China, even at higher cost
• Accept higher prices and keep current suppliers
• Accelerate in‑house chip development