Nvidia CEO Warns China Nearly Matches US AI Chipmaking Amid Export Restriction Calls

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has emphasized that China is only "nanoseconds behind" the U.S. in chip technology and AI development, highlighting China's rapid progress, strong manufacturing capabilities, and intense work culture. Huang criticized U.S. export controls intended to slow China's AI advancement, suggesting they may have backfired by encouraging domestic Chinese competitors like Huawei and Alibaba to expand globally, thereby challenging Nvidia's former dominance in China. He advocated for allowing U.S. tech companies to compete openly in China, arguing this would benefit both countries by spreading technology and maximizing America's economic and geopolitical influence. Huang described China's tech industry as vibrant, innovative, and entrepreneurial, with significant internal competition and a deep talent pool. Despite geopolitical tensions disrupting Nvidia's sales in China, Huang remains hopeful that China will maintain an open market for foreign investment and competition. This perspective calls for U.S. policies that empower rather than constrain American technology firms to maintain global leadership in AI and semiconductor innovation.