Nvidia Warns U.S. GAIN AI Act Could Harm Competition, Echoes AI Diffusion Rule
Nvidia criticized the proposed GAIN AI Act on Friday, warning that it would restrict global competition and hurt the U.S. economy much like last year’s AI Diffusion Rule, which limited the export of high-performance chips.
The Guaranteeing Access and Innovation for National Artificial Intelligence Act, introduced as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, would require AI chipmakers to prioritize domestic orders before fulfilling foreign contracts. Exporters would also need licenses to ship chips above certain performance thresholds, specifically processors rated 4,800 or higher in total computing power.
In a statement, Nvidia argued the law addresses a non-existent issue:
“We never deprive American customers in order to serve the rest of the world. In trying to solve a problem that does not exist, the proposed bill would restrict competition worldwide in any industry that uses mainstream computing chips.”
The Act mirrors the AI Diffusion Rule enacted under President Joe Biden, which rationed computing capacity among allies while cutting off rivals like China. Both measures reflect Washington’s effort to secure U.S. access to advanced silicon and limit China’s AI capabilities, particularly amid concerns about its military applications.
The debate comes just weeks after President Donald Trump struck a deal with Nvidia allowing the company to resume certain AI chip exports to China in exchange for the U.S. government receiving a cut of sales—an unprecedented arrangement underscoring the geopolitical stakes around advanced semiconductors.
If enacted, the GAIN AI Act could reshape the global AI hardware supply chain, tightening U.S. control over who gets access to the most powerful chips.


