US President Donald Trump is considering a major shift in US policy by potentially selling advanced AI chips, known as Blackwell, to China. The move has sparked alarm among Washington officials who warn that it would be a “massive” national security mistake.
Blackwell chips are considered some of the most advanced artificial intelligence technology from US chipmaker Nvidia. Trump’s comments during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday have raised concerns about the potential sale, which is currently banned under US law. Critics argue that the technology has widespread implications for strategic competition between the US and China.
Senator Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware, warned that selling AI chips to China would be a “tragic mistake” that could shift the balance of power in favor of Beijing. R. Nicholas Burns, a former US ambassador to China, also expressed concerns, saying that such sales would be a “massive mistake” and prioritize national security over US interests.
Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang has pushed for the sale of Blackwell chips to China, arguing that it would accelerate America’s leading position in AI technology. However, experts say that China already has more than enough domestic chips for military applications, and that selling these advanced chips would cede a significant advantage to Beijing.
The outcome of Trump’s meeting with Xi Jinping remains uncertain, but the administration is seeking an arrangement that could restore stability to the relationship and restart some commerce. The sale of Blackwell chips has widespread implications, including potential impacts on US companies like Nvidia, as well as strategic competition between the US and China.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/us/politics/trump-china-nvidia-chips-sales.html