UPDATE: New legislation is on the table as Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, aims to block the sale of advanced AI chips to China and other adversaries. This urgent move responds to growing concerns about an “AI arms race” fueled by recent decisions from the Trump administration.
Meeks has introduced a bill that would prohibit export licenses for advanced AI chips, including the H200 chips, to arms-embargoed nations such as China, Russia, and Venezuela. This legislation comes after President Donald Trump approved Nvidia’s sale of these critical technologies to China, a decision that Meeks strongly condemns.
“It seems as though there is a deal that is being cut there that really concerns me, and we cannot allow that to happen,” Meeks stated. His comments reflect deep apprehensions about national security being compromised for profit.
The Department of Justice recently issued a press release highlighting the arrest of two individuals accused of smuggling advanced AI chips to China, labeling them as “the building blocks of AI superiority” essential for modern military applications. “We’re in a strategic competition with China. We want to make sure that we lead it,” Meeks emphasized, confirming the urgency of his legislative efforts.
In a contrasting approach, Florida Republican Rep. Brian Mast, the head of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has proposed legislation that allows ongoing approval of export licenses but grants Congress the power to block them within 30 days with a majority vote. When asked about the effectiveness of Congress in blocking these licenses, Meeks responded candidly, “No.”
With the Republicans controlling the House, Meeks is considering a discharge petition to force a vote on his legislation. “It seems as though this is the way that we are legislating,” he remarked, indicating a shift in political strategy.
President Trump has defended the H200 deal, asserting that it curbs demand for Chinese chips and positions U.S. companies ahead of their Chinese counterparts. He stated on Truth Social that he believes the U.S. economy will benefit from a 25% fee collected on the deal, noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping responded “positively” to the arrangement.
As this situation develops, the implications for U.S.-China relations and national security remain critical. The stakes are high in this ongoing technological rivalry, and the response from Congress will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned for further updates on this significant legislative battle affecting the future of AI technology and international security.
