Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., this week criticized the Trump administration’s decision to suspend the Bureau of Industry and Security's 50% rule (see 2510300024) and allow exports of Nvidia H200 chips to China, suggesting the U.S. is sacrificing national security for improved trade relations with China.
Although his bill to restrict exports of advanced AI chips didn't make it into the final FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which lawmakers unveiled this week (see 2512080048), Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., said late Dec. 9 that he's not giving up on his proposal.
President Donald Trump’s decision to allow exports of more advanced AI chips to China could deal a damaging blow to U.S. efforts to convince the Dutch and Japanese to maintain and strengthen their own export controls against China, former Biden administration national security officials said.
A host of lawmakers criticized President Donald Trump’s decision this week to allow Nvidia to export its H200 chips to China (see 2512080059), saying it will help Beijing catch up to the U.S. in AI. Others were sympathetic or non-committal.
The Commerce Department is working with “all possible speed” to set up its AI exports program and is still accepting feedback on how best to shape it, said Brandon Remington, deputy undersecretary for policy at the International Trade Administration.
The U.S. announced charges against a group of business owners, their companies and associates for illegally exporting advanced Nvidia chips to China the same day President Donald Trump said he plans to ease export controls over those exact chips.
President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social late Dec. 8 that he has decided to allow the sale of Nvidia’s H200 AI chips to “approved customers” in China.
House and Senate negotiators have reached agreement on a final FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that includes legislation to limit U.S. outbound investment in China but omits a Senate proposal to restrict exports of advanced AI chips.
Taiwan has charged a local subsidiary of chip equipment manufacturer Tokyo Electron for failing to prevent in the alleged theft of sensitive semiconductor technology earlier this year.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. is reviewing a Chinese company’s "deeply concerning" investment in Minnesota-based startup FastWave Medical, which is developing a new high-tech treatment for serious heart disease, Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., disclosed Dec. 1.