The Trump administration is considering revising a rule passed under Biden that limits global access to advanced AI chips. One key idea is to eliminate the three-tier system that currently determines how many chips each country can get, Reuters reports.
The rule, approved by the U.S. Department of Commerce, is called the Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion. It puts controls on access to the most powerful AI chips to prevent them from being used by rival countries, including China. Under the current system:
- The first level (17 countries and Taiwan) — without restrictions.
- The second (approximately 120 countries) is with limits.
- The third (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea) is a complete ban.
The Trump team is considering replacing this structure with a global licensing system based on bilateral intergovernmental agreements. This would give the US more flexibility in using the chips as a tool in international negotiations.
In addition, the administration may lower the exemption threshold: currently, orders of up to 1,700 NVIDIA H100 chips do not require a license, but the new threshold may be lowered to 500.
Former Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross confirmed that discussions are ongoing, and government agreements could be an alternative to the current model.
The new rule has been criticized in the industry. Oracle spokesman Ken Gluck said the current division makes no sense, as Israel and Yemen are on the same level. At the same time, companies warn that strict restrictions could force countries to buy analogues from China.
Seven Republican senators have already called for the restrictions to be lifted, arguing that they only strengthen the position of Chinese manufacturers.