WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Two U.S. lawmakers are urging President Donald Trump's administration to consider restricting the export of Nvidia’s artificial intelligence chips, citing their use by Chinese AI company DeepSeek.

Figure 1. Lawmakers Call on Trump to Consider New Export Restrictions on Nvidia Chips Used by China's Deepseek

Republican John Moolenaar and Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi, who led the House of Representatives Select Committee on China, made the request as part of a broader review of U.S. export control policies, initiated by Trump to address "developments involving strategic adversaries." Figure 1 shows Lawmakers Call on Trump to Consider New Export Restrictions on Nvidia Chips Used by China's Deepseek.

In a letter dated Wednesday, they asked National Security Advisor Michael Waltz to evaluate the potential national security benefits of placing export controls on Nvidia’s H20 chip, which is currently not subject to U.S. restrictions.

This move comes as DeepSeek’s recent announcement of a free AI assistant, launched last week, caught attention for its ability to use significantly less data and at a lower cost compared to existing models, prompting concerns in Washington over China’s rapid progress in AI.

In a separate move, the U.S. House of Representatives' Chief Administrative Officer issued a notice warning congressional offices not to use DeepSeek’s services, citing a review and unauthorized status for official House use.

There are growing fears that China could leverage AI technology for cyberattacks or even bioweapons development, leading the U.S. government to take steps to curb China’s access to critical AI technologies. This initiative began under former President Joe Biden's administration.

Nvidia, for its part, stated that its products comply with all government requirements and that the company is prepared to cooperate with the administration on its AI strategy.

Reuters reported earlier this week that the Trump administration is considering additional restrictions on H20 chips, which are designed to run AI software and currently comply with existing U.S. export controls on China.

(Reporting by Alexandra Alper; additional reporting by Kanishka Singh; Editing by David Gregorio, Marguerita Choy, and Diane Craft)

The Request for Export Restrictions

Two U.S. lawmakers, Republican John Moolenaar and Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi, are urging the Trump administration to consider new restrictions on the export of Nvidia’s artificial intelligence (AI) chips. They specifically focus on Nvidia’s H20 chips, which they believe have been used by the Chinese AI company DeepSeek. This request is part of a broader review of U.S. export control policies, triggered by concerns about national security and China's technological advancements.

The Role of the House Select Committee on China

Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi are both key members of the House of Representatives Select Committee on China. Their letter to National Security Advisor Michael Waltz asks the Trump administration to evaluate the potential national security risks of allowing Nvidia’s H20 chips to be exported to China, especially given their use in AI systems like those developed by DeepSeek. This move underscores the growing concerns over China’s technological rise and its implications for U.S. security.

DeepSeek’s AI Model and Nvidia’s H20 Chip

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI firm, has released a sophisticated AI model that reportedly uses Nvidia's H20 chips. The lawmakers claim that the H20 chip was integral to this model, which makes "extensive use" of Nvidia technology. While H20 chips are currently not subject to U.S. export controls, the lawmakers argue that their use by a Chinese firm raises national security concerns, particularly given the strategic importance of AI in military and cyber capabilities.

Growing Concerns Over China’s AI Progress

The growing capabilities of China’s AI sector are raising alarms in Washington. DeepSeek recently announced a new AI assistant that uses significantly less data and operates at a much lower cost compared to existing models from leading AI companies. This marks a potential shift in the AI landscape, where China is making rapid advances that could challenge U.S. dominance in the field, particularly in areas like cybersecurity and bioweapons development.

Broader Government Response and Nvidia’s Position

In response to these concerns, the Trump administration is considering additional restrictions on the export of Nvidia’s H20 chips to China. These discussions are part of a broader effort to limit China’s access to sensitive technologies that could be used for military or strategic purposes. Nvidia, in turn, has stated that its products comply with all government regulations and that the company is open to working with the administration as it formulates policies around AI technology and export controls.

Reference:

1. https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/lawmakers-urge-trump-consider-curbs-203329525.html
2. https://www.reuters.com/technology/lawmakers-urge-trump-consider-new-curbs-nvidia-chips-used-by-chinas-deepseek-2025-01-30/
3. https://www.aol.com/news/lawmakers-urge-trump-consider-curbs-203329121.html

Cite this article:

Priyadharshini S (2025),”Lawmakers Urge Trump to Contemplate New Restrictions on Nvidia Chips Utilized by China's Deepseek", AnaTechMaz, pp. 215