Apple is seeking approval from the Trump administration to purchase memory chips from a Chinese company added to a Pentagon blacklist.
The company wants to buy from CXMT, which the Defense Department recently placed on its 1260H list of firms linked to the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
Apple first contacted the Commerce Department about the matter a month ago and has also reached out to officials in Washington. While not barred from the purchases, the company risks repercussions without White House approval.
The move aims to ease a memory chip shortage that prompted Apple to raise prices on several products, including a $300 increase for the 1TB M5 MacBook Pro. Apple currently sources such chips from Micron, Samsung and SK Hynix.
Congress is expected to object. Representative John Moolenaar said, "Apple choosing to partner with a Chinese military company would be a grave mistake."
