Trump faces Apple-Micron clash over Chinese memory chips - WSJ
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Trump faces Apple-Micron clash over Chinese memory chips - WSJ Simon Mugo Fri, July 24, 2026 at 11:09 PM EDT 2 min read AAPL MU Investing.com -- Apple and Micron Technology are pressing the Trump administration to take opposing positions on the use of Chinese memory chips, forcing the president to weigh lower consumer prices against his goal of expanding domestic semiconductor production, The Wall Street Journal exclusively reported. Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook and other senior executives have asked administration officials to permit the company to use memory chips from China's ChangXin Memory Technologies and Yangtze Memory Technologies in devices sold outside the United States. The iPhone maker argues that adding Chinese suppliers would ease a global memory shortage and could limit price increases for American consumers. Cook has reportedly discussed the proposal with Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Micron, the only large U.S. memory-chip manufacturer, is lobbying against the request. Its executives have warned that allowing American technology companies to buy from Chinese producers could undermine domestic manufacturing, regardless of where the finished products are sold. Both CXMT and YMTC have been designated Chinese military companies by the Pentagon, with YMTC also included on the U.S. Entity List. White House technology adviser Michael Kratsios told lawmakers that American companies should not conduct business with entities on the trade blacklist. The dispute has intensified as memory-chip prices have quadrupled over the past year, according to TechInsights. AI data centres are consuming growing volumes of advanced memory at higher prices, reducing Apple's purchasing leverage and tightening supplies for smartphones, vehicles and medical equipment. Apple has accused Micron of benefiting from the shortage, citing gross margins exceeding 80% and claiming that new production capacity is being directed disproportionately toward AI customers. Micron maintains that rising consumer-electronics prices reflect more than memory costs. The chipmaker has pledged to invest $250 billion in U.S. manufacturing and says faster construction of domestic plants can address the supply deficit without relying on Chinese producers. Trump has praised both companies for investing in the United States. His administration is also pursuing trade negotiations with Beijing, complicating any decision that could impose fresh restrictions on Chinese technology suppliers. Trump faces Apple-Micron clash over Chinese memory chips - WSJ Citi pushes back Fed rate cuts to May after blowout January jobs report These 2 stocks are best positioned to benefit from higher uranium prices: analyst
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