Trump Eyes Rollback of Biden’s AI Chip Export Bans
From Silicon Barriers to Silicon Bridges
Donald Trump’s presidential campaign has announced that, if re-elected, Trump plans to revoke and replace the Biden administration’s restrictive export controls on advanced AI semiconductors, particularly those affecting trade with China. The move signals a stark policy departure, as Biden’s curbs—implemented to protect national security and maintain U.S. technological superiority—have strained relations with both China and U.S. chipmakers. Describing the restrictions as economically self-defeating, a Trump adviser argued they hamper American companies’ ability to compete globally. The campaign did not specify what a replacement policy might entail, but suggested it would balance economic and security concerns while restoring U.S advantage in tech trade.
Tech Cold War at a Crossroads
Biden’s sweeping export rules, instituted in October 2022 and expanded in 2023, were designed to throttle China’s access to AI-related semiconductor technology. Critics, however, claim the measures have hurt domestic chipmakers—like Nvidia and Intel—by cutting them off from a major market. Trump’s potential rollback could realign semiconductor supply chains and ease industry tensions, though national security experts warn it may undercut efforts to limit China’s military tech advancement. Global allies, who mirrored U.S. measures, may also be forced to reevaluate their stance should U.S. policy dramatically shift under a second Trump presidency.
