Press Releases

Trump Threatens to Sell America’s AI Advantage to China

Trump Floats Selling Advanced AI Chip to China the Day After Nvidia CEO Lavished Him with Praise

Washington, D.C. — On Wednesday, President Donald Trump said he would discuss selling Nvidia’s Blackwell AI chip to China at a forthcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. On Tuesday, Nvidia CEO Jensen used a keynote speech in D.C. to heap praise on Trump and personally thank him. The White House’s own AI Action Plan notes that this kind of advanced AI technology is essential and that “Denying our foreign adversaries access to this resource, then, is a matter of both geostrategic competition and national security.” Nvidia has also donated millions to Trump’s inauguration, his ballroom and his Super PAC. Following Trump’s announcement, Nvidia shares soared, making it the first $5 trillion business based on market value. 

The following is a statement from Demand Progress Policy Director Emily Peterson-Cassin:

“President Trump is threatening to sell America’s competitive advantage in AI and our national security to China in order to pay for his ballroom. Selling our most advanced AI chips to our chief competitor only makes sense for Nvidia, which stands to make billions, and Trump, who has received millions from the company for his inauguration, his White House ballroom and a ticket purchase for a $1 million-a-head dinner at Mar-a-Lago. This is a bad deal for Americans and it must be stopped.”