Nvidia CEO Discusses AI Chip Exports with President Trump

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss AI policy, semiconductor technology, and concerns over China’s growing AI capabilities, particularly following the emergence of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek.

The meeting comes as the U.S. government weighs new restrictions on AI chip exports to China, aiming to curb Beijing’s access to advanced technology while maintaining America’s leadership in artificial intelligence.

The discussions followed DeepSeek’s recent unveiling of its AI model R1, which rivals top U.S. models but at significantly lower costs. Analysts suggest that DeepSeek’s rapid advancements, powered in part by Nvidia’s H800 AI chips, could shift the global AI power balance.

With DeepSeek’s rise, the Biden administration had previously imposed export restrictions on high-performance AI chips, including Nvidia’s A100 and H100 models. However, Nvidia continued supplying China with a modified version, the H800, which still offers considerable computing power.

Huang’s discussions with President Trump reportedly included potential new tariffs or restrictions on Nvidia’s chip exports to China. The administration is under pressure to tighten controls to prevent China’s military and intelligence sectors from advancing their AI capabilities.

Also Read: OpenAI’s CEO Responds to DeepSeek’s Growing Influence in AI

While U.S. officials want to limit China’s access to cutting-edge AI hardware, industry leaders, including Nvidia, argue that overly stringent restrictions could harm American businesses by cutting off a major revenue stream. Nvidia, a dominant player in the AI chip market, has generated billions in sales from China, and further restrictions could lead to China developing its own alternatives.

A source familiar with the talks stated that Huang advocated for a balanced approach that protects national security while ensuring that U.S. firms remain competitive.

“Nvidia supports responsible AI governance, but we also recognise the need for American companies to engage in global markets,” an industry expert commented.

President Trump’s administration is expected to review AI trade policies in the coming weeks, with potential adjustments to chip export rules. The outcome of these discussions could have far-reaching implications for the AI sector, global trade, and the ongoing tech rivalry between the U.S. and China.

With AI becoming a strategic battleground, the coming months will be critical in shaping the future of U.S.-China tech relations and America’s role in the global AI landscape.