Nvidia Criticizes Biden Administration’s Reported AI Chip Export Restrictions

Nvidia has expressed concern over a reported plan by the Joe Biden administration to impose new restrictions on AI chip exports, with the company urging the outgoing president not to enact a policy that could harm the U.S. economy and benefit adversaries. Nvidia’s Vice President, Ned Finkle, criticized the potential move, arguing that it could set the U.S. back and play into the hands of international competitors.

The Commerce Department and the White House have not responded to Reuters’ inquiries about the policy. According to exclusive reports, the Commerce Department is planning to approve global AI chip exports while preventing bad actors, particularly China, from accessing these advanced technologies. A Bloomberg News report suggests that new export regulations could be announced soon, with limits on the computing power that can be sent to certain countries, including China.

Finkle warned that the policy, though presented as an anti-China measure, would have broader global consequences, including limiting computing systems for other countries and driving the market toward alternative technologies. The Information Technology Industry Council, representing major tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta, also voiced concerns, claiming that the restrictions would impede U.S. companies’ ability to compete globally.

Nvidia’s criticism comes as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20. Trump previously imposed restrictions on U.S. technology sales to China during his first term, citing national security concerns. Nvidia’s stock saw a decline of more than 1% following the Bloomberg report.