US President Donald Trump has said that Nvidia’s most advanced artificial intelligence chips will be kept exclusively for American companies, blocking China and other nations from accessing the high-end technology.
Tightened Restrictions on AI Chip Exports
In a televised interview aired on CBS’ 60 Minutes and in comments made aboard Air Force One, Trump stated that the United States would not allow other countries to obtain Nvidia’s Blackwell chips — currently the company’s most powerful AI semiconductors.
“The most advanced, we will not let anybody have them other than the United States,” he told CBS. He added during the flight, “We don’t give the Blackwell chip to other people.”
The statement indicates that Trump could tighten export rules beyond previous US policy, which already limited the sale of advanced AI chips to China. The decision could also impact other nations relying on American semiconductor technology.
Balancing AI Leadership and Export Policy
Earlier this year, the Trump administration introduced a new artificial intelligence strategy aimed at expanding AI exports to allied nations while maintaining America’s technological lead over China. However, the latest comments suggest a shift toward stricter control of critical hardware.
Last week, Nvidia announced plans to deliver more than 260,000 Blackwell AI chips to South Korea, supplying major companies such as Samsung Electronics. Yet, questions remain about whether any version of these chips could be exported to China.
Trump clarified that while Chinese firms might have limited access to less powerful Nvidia products, they would not receive the top-tier Blackwell models. “We will let them deal with Nvidia but not in terms of the most advanced,” he said.
Political Concerns Over China’s Access
The possibility of selling even downgraded chips to China has drawn strong criticism from lawmakers in Washington. Republican Congressman John Moolenaar, who chairs the House Select Committee on China, warned that allowing such exports “would be akin to giving Iran weapons-grade uranium.”
Trump said he had considered discussing the chip issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping before their recent meeting in South Korea but confirmed that the subject did not arise.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has also stated that the company has not sought US export licences for China, noting that Beijing has shown little interest in dealing with Nvidia under current restrictions.
(with inputs from Reuters)
