US Congress Warns Apple Against "Playing with Fire" Over China Semiconductor Integration Rumors

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The U.S. Congress has pushed back following reports that Apple will equip the iPhone 14 with semiconductors from Chinese state-owned semiconductor company YMTC.

According to the New York Post and other outlets on the 11th, recent reports that Apple plans to install NAND flash memory chips produced by YMTC in its new iPhone 14 have prompted U.S. lawmakers to criticize Apple.

Marco Rubio, Republican and Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said, "Apple is playing with fire," adding, "If Apple proceeds further, it will face an unprecedented investigation from the federal government." He also stated, "We cannot allow a Chinese company operating under the Chinese Communist Party to enter U.S. communication networks and millions of Americans' iPhones."

The U.S. government and Congress have previously argued that Chinese telecommunications equipment maker Huawei, when supplying equipment to U.S. or allied critical infrastructure, installs backdoors (technical vulnerabilities allowing unauthorized access) to leak personal information or confidential data to the Chinese government when needed.

YMTC is also suspected of supplying semiconductors to Huawei, which is subject to export controls by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Earlier in July this year, Senators Rubio, Chuck Schumer (Democrat Senate Majority Leader), Mark Warner (Democrat Senator), and John Cornyn (Republican Senator) urged Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to impose regulations related to YMTC.

Michael McCaul, Republican ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also voiced caution on the same day regarding reports of Apple importing Chinese semiconductors. McCaul said, "YMTC has extensive ties with the Chinese Communist Party and the People's Liberation Army," adding, "If Apple does business with YMTC, it would effectively transfer knowledge and know-how, enhancing YMTC's capabilities and helping the Chinese Communist Party achieve its national objectives."

Apple has stated to major foreign media that it has not used YMTC semiconductors in any of its products. However, Apple explained that it is considering sourcing NAND flash semiconductors from YMTC for some iPhones sold in China.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.