News Desk
WASHINGTON — Two U.S. lawmakers are calling on the Trump administration to consider restricting exports of Nvidia’s H20 artificial intelligence chips, citing concerns over their use by Chinese AI firm DeepSeek.
In a letter dated Jan. 29 and addressed to National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, Rep. John Moolenaar, a Republican, and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat, urged the administration to evaluate potential national security risks posed by the chips. Their request comes amid a broader Commerce and State Department review of U.S. export controls.
The letter, made public on Thursday, alleges that DeepSeek’s recently released AI model made “extensive use” of Nvidia’s H20 chips, which are currently not subject to U.S. export restrictions. The lawmakers argue that restricting these chips could help safeguard American technology from strategic adversaries.
The push highlights growing concerns in Washington over China’s rapid progress in AI, particularly after DeepSeek unveiled a free AI assistant last week that reportedly operates with lower data requirements and costs than competitors.
The U.S. has sought to limit China’s access to advanced AI technology, citing fears that it could be used for cyberattacks or bioweapon development. Former President Joe Biden previously enacted restrictions on AI chip exports to China, and Reuters reported Wednesday that the Trump administration is now considering further curbs on H20 chips.
Nvidia defended its compliance with existing regulations, stating that its products “comply with all requirements set by the government” and that the company is “ready to work with the administration as it pursues its own approach to AI.”
