Chip Export

• Two key Democratic lawmakers have raised national security concerns about the Trump administration's approval for exports of Nvidia chips to China, warning that the move risks harming U.S. technological leadership. • The legislators are calling for bipartisan legislation to prevent American technology from reaching Chinese hands and being used improperly, echoing broader concerns about technology transfer and competitive advantages in AI computing. • Nvidia has pushed back against criticism of the Trump administration's export approval decision, defending the company's position on international trade and technology availability.

The US announced partial rollback of AI semiconductor export restrictions on March 13, 2026, targeting key technologies amid global competition. This move is poised to boost domestic chipmakers ahead of Nvidia's GTC event next week. Nvidia, HBM, and related AI plays face heightened focus with potential upside. Policy shift aims to balance national security and industry growth.

The US Commerce Department withdrew a planned rule on artificial-intelligence chip exports on Friday, marking the latest policy reversal by the Trump administration regarding technology trade controls. The withdrawal represents a significant shift in the administration's approach to regulating AI semiconductor exports, which had been a contentious issue affecting companies like Nvidia and other chipmakers. This decision follows earlier statements from administration officials indicating a more flexible stance on AI chip distribution policies compared to previous regulatory frameworks. The reversal signals potential changes in how the US will manage competition with foreign nations in advanced semiconductor and AI technology sectors.

The US Commerce Department withdrew a planned rule on Friday that would have required permits for exports of advanced AI chips from companies like Nvidia and AMD to global customers. The abandoned Trump administration proposal aimed to involve case-by-case reviews by the Commerce Department's licensing office, contingent on factors such as government agreements and end-user computing power needs. Commerce officials rejected returning to the prior administration's 'burdensome, overreaching and disastrous' AI diffusion framework. This decision eases restrictions on the semiconductor industry amid ongoing trade tensions.

The US Commerce Department withdrew a planned rule on AI chip exports on March 13, 2026, marking another policy reversal by the Trump administration amid shifting trade priorities. The rule had aimed to tighten controls on advanced semiconductor shipments, particularly to adversaries. This decision eases pressures on US chipmakers like Nvidia, potentially boosting exports while maintaining national security reviews. Tech industry groups welcomed the move, citing reduced regulatory burdens for $50 billion in annual chip trade.