Apple CEO signals openness to Chinese memory chips amid supply crisis

Apple CEO John Turnus has described the global memory chip supply crunch as "an absolute crisis" and signaled that the company could turn to Chinese suppliers to secure its supply chain — even as the US government and Congress have opposed the use of Chinese semiconductors on national security grounds.

In an interview with Time magazine published Thursday (local time), Turnus said supply constraints in the memory sector amounted to a clear crisis. "Our basic thinking is that all options need to be on the table," he said.

The remarks were widely interpreted as an indication that Apple is open to sourcing memory chips from Chinese manufacturers, including CXMT, as alternative suppliers amid the ongoing global shortage. The comments underscored Apple's push to diversify its supply chain despite bipartisan concerns in Washington that Chinese-made memory chips could pose a national security risk.

Apple is already testing memory chips from CXMT, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick pushed back against such moves in August, saying it was "not desirable" for great American companies to use Chinese-made memory chips. Lawmakers from both parties have also called on companies to pledge not to use memory chips produced by Chinese firms.

Turnus nonetheless suggested Apple is working to bring the administration around, saying he had met with Trump administration officials "to make sure we're solving the problem together."

Tim Cook, Apple's executive chairman who stepped down as CEO at the end of August, has also reportedly joined the effort to persuade the government, proposing that Chinese-made memory chips be used only in devices sold in China.

Cook recently visited China, where he toured a filming location using the iPhone 18 Pro and attended an advisory board meeting at Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management.

Turnus spoke warmly of Cook, saying, "He has great relationships and he loves Apple. He's helping wherever he can help."

Turnus appeared on the cover of Time's issue featuring "The Best Inventions of 2026."

The magazine ran a photo of Turnus holding the iPhone Duo — Apple's first foldable smartphone — with the cover line "A New Era for Apple."

Turnus took office as Apple's new CEO on Sept. 1, succeeding Cook.