APPLE SEEKS US APPROVAL FOR BLACKLISTED CHINESE CHIP SUPPLIER

Apple has approached the Trump administration seeking permission to buy chips from a Chinese memory manufacturer currently on the US blacklist, according to Financial Times reporting. The company is attempting to secure approval to source from CXMT, a chipmaker with links to China's military sector. The effort reflects Apple's push to manage semiconductor expenses as component costs remain elevated across the industry. Blacklisted companies typically face restrictions on US business dealings and technology transfers. Obtaining exemptions requires explicit government authorization, a process that can be lengthy and uncertain. The request comes as Apple works to optimize its supply chain and reduce dependence on higher-cost chip suppliers. The move signals how cost pressures are pushing major tech companies to seek alternatives, even when regulatory barriers exist. No timeline for a White House decision has been disclosed. The outcome could set precedent for other US tech firms seeking similar exemptions from export restrictions on Chinese suppliers.