Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On Trump’s Dangerous Decision To Allow The Sale Of American Chips Used To Develop AI To China

Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor to slam President Donald Trump’s decision to reverse chip export restrictions to China, warning that this decision weakens the U.S. in the global race for AI dominance and threatens our national security. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Donald Trump’s trade war has created a mess for U.S. businesses. And now he’s rushing to clean up the mess, and he’s getting played by Beijing.

Last week, the administration handed President Xi and the Chinese Government a major win, by approving chip-maker Nvidia to resume selling American H-20 chips – used to develop AI – to China.

When these chips were blocked, Americans breathed a sigh of relief. China would not get a basic tool to catch up to us – and even surpass us – on AI and so many other technological advances.

Not four months ago, for that reason, the administration blocked the sale of these chips. But now – typical of Donald Trump, there’s no consistency, there’s just what he feels is good for himself at the moment – they’re making a costly and troubling U-turn.

Flip-flops like this show weakness to the Chinese government, and that is the last thing we can afford. What is more, these chips are vital in the race to dominate AI: these H-20 chips are among the best on the market and were critical for China’s development of DeepSeek.

We all wondered: how did China catch up with DeepSeek? Well, by using these chips. And now Donald Trump is greenlighting the sale of even more of these chips.

If you are worried about allowing China to dominate in AI, with all the troubling prospects of that domination, then this reversal from the administration is a huge step towards enabling that Chinese dominance.

Every chip Donald Trump allows Nvidia to sell to Chinese competitors is one more boost to Beijing in the race for AI dominance.

But the administration’s capitulation keeps going. As part of trade talks with Beijing, they’re also undermining export controls of U.S. technologies deemed to be critical for our national security.

This sends an unmistakable message to adversaries around the world: America’s national security is open to negotiation under Donald Trump’s government.

The administration should revert to its original decision in April to block the sale of these chips to the Chinese government, and Donald Trump should stop giving the Chinese government leverage in the race for the technologies of the future.

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