A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has urged Apple Inc. to abandon reported plans to source memory chips from Chinese semiconductor firms CXMT Corp. and Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. (YMTC), warning that such a move would create long-term national security risks and deepen the iPhone maker's dependence on suppliers linked to Beijing. The appeal came in a formal letter addressed to Apple CEO Tim Cook, according to multiple reports.

What the Lawmakers Demanded

The letter — led by Republican Senator Jim Banks and Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer — asked Apple to refrain from using memory chips from the two Chinese companies, even in devices sold exclusively within China. The senators set a deadline of 21 August for Apple to commit in writing that it would not incorporate CXMT or YMTC chips into any of its products.

The letter also sought detailed disclosures on Apple's engagement with the two firms, including any sharing of technical information and whether the company had sought priority allocations from US or South Korean memory chip suppliers as alternatives.

Why CXMT and YMTC Are Under Scrutiny

Both CXMT and YMTC appear on the Pentagon's updated list of Chinese entities believed to support China's military, the reports noted. The lawmakers warned that sourcing from these suppliers — even initially for China-only devices — could eventually lead to their deployment in globally distributed products through broader procurement decisions. 'This short-sighted move would be a mistake,' the senators wrote in the letter.

They further cautioned that relying on these suppliers would make the world's most valuable consumer electronics company dependent on firms the US government has formally designated as Chinese military companies — a designation that carries significant trade and compliance implications.

What Prompted Apple's Reported Outreach

Apple has reportedly been exploring purchases from the two firms amid a global memory chip shortage that has pushed prices sharply higher, driven by surging demand from artificial intelligence hardware manufacturers including Nvidia. In June, Apple raised prices across its Mac, iPad, home devices, and Vision Pro product lines, citing elevated memory costs as a key factor.

The senators questioned whether sourcing from Chinese suppliers would actually deliver meaningful cost savings, citing analysis suggesting that CXMT's pricing is in some cases higher than competing products from established suppliers.

Apple's Response and What Comes Next

Apple did not immediately respond to the lawmakers' letter, according to reports. The 21 August deadline gives the company roughly three weeks to formally clarify its position. The episode adds fresh pressure on Apple as it navigates an increasingly complex supply chain environment shaped by US-China tech tensions, export controls, and AI-driven component demand. Notably, this is not the first time Apple has faced congressional scrutiny over its China supply chain — YMTC was previously flagged in 2022 during a prior round of export control deliberations.

How Apple responds could set a precedent for how other US technology companies manage sourcing decisions involving Pentagon-listed Chinese entities.