Driven by the AI boom, there is a continuous shortage of storage chips worldwide, and Apple is actively seeking suppliers. Previously, sources familiar with the matter said that Apple has already begun preliminary discussions with Changxin Technology regarding component supply, with the hope of using Changxin's products in some devices sold in the Chinese market.
However, according to an article in The Wall Street Journal on the 14th, the Trump administration has publicly pressured Apple to abandon its purchase of Chinese-made storage chips.
According to reports, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Marcus said in an interview after visiting Apple’s Huston factory that the Trump administration does not want Apple to purchase Chinese memory chips, but it is very likely that Apple will still do so.
He stated, “The Trump administration does not support this approach. The shortage of memory supply must be addressed through other means, and excellent American companies should not choose Chinese storage chips.”
When asked if he had informed Apple of his stance, Lutnick stated: "I have been direct and upfront."
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Apple has begun testing memory chips from ChangXin Technology and Yangtze Memory Storage, and plans to use them in various product lines such as iPhones and MacBooks. Due to the surge in demand for memory chips by AI companies and the continuous rise in global storage prices, Apple has recently increased the prices of some products worldwide. If Apple can obtain memory supplies from China, it may be able to alleviate the pressure of rising costs.
It's worth mentioning that previously, many notebook manufacturers such as HP and Acer had already started using Changxin memory chips in their products outside of the United States.
According to US regulations, US companies must apply for a license before sharing product information with ChangXin Technology and Yangtze Memory Technologies. If these two Chinese chip manufacturers want to develop customized chips for Apple, they need to obtain relevant product information. However, Apple can directly purchase standardized finished chips from both companies and negotiate the purchase prices with them.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lovekine delivered a speech at Apple Inc.
According to reports, Apple's chief operating officer, Sarif Khan, did not confirm in an interview on the 13th that Apple is testing Chinese storage chips. However, he stated that in the face of a severe supply gap, ‘we must consider all feasible options,’ including working with existing suppliers to increase production within the United States.
He mentioned that Apple will customize a large number of components for the iPhone, but the ‘customization space’ for memory chips is limited. This means that Apple may opt to use standardized Chinese memory chips directly.
"Wall Street Journal" reports that this public statement highlights a new point of contention between the Trump administration and Apple.
As the largest device manufacturer in the United States, Apple plays a key role in the country's manufacturing repatriation strategy. Previously, Apple has obtained tariff reductions by promising local investment and establishing production capacities. However, in terms of actual deployment, Apple's investment in overseas supply chains still far exceeds that in the United States.
Lutnick said that the US government continues to pressure Apple to bring more production capacity to the United States. 'They keep pressuring and increasing the demands.'
In fact, not only Apple is facing challenges with the supply of storage chips. Many companies, ranging from medical devices to the automotive industry, are asking for government intervention to alleviate the shortage situation. However, the construction of new production capabilities often takes more than a year. There are very limited options available to quickly resolve the supply shortage through policy measures.
Data shows that after the explosion of AI applications, the proportion of storage needs in data centers has increased from over 20% two years ago to over 60% now. The periodic characteristics of storage are being changed by the structural growth driven by AI.
Industry insiders say that China's storage industry has entered a new cycle of capacity expansion. Local storage chip manufacturers will continue to increase production capacity in the coming years. As the localization rate of core equipment continues to rise, China's storage industry chain will also achieve a systematic upgrade.
