Trump sparks concern after suggesting he might allow sales of Nvidia’s advanced AI chips in China

President says he could make deal for Nvidia to sell downgraded version of Blackwell chip in China but expert warns that could help Beijing compete in AI

Donald Trump has flagged allowing Nvidia to sell chips in China that are more advanced than currently allowed, in another deal" that would loosen export restrictions despite deep-seated fears in Washington that Beijing could harness US tech to harm national security.

At a briefing on Monday, Trump was questioned over recent revelations that he had struck an unprecedented deal with Nvidia and AMD to grant them export licenses to sell previously banned chips to China, in return for the companies giving the US government 15% of the sales revenue. The US president defended the deal, which analysts have likened to a shakedown" payment, or unconstitutional export taxes, before adding that he was expecting further negotiations over another, more advanced Nvidia chip.