Nvidia CEO Meets Trump: AI, Chip Tariffs & Global Tech War on the Line

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met with former U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday, marking their first official meeting. The discussion reportedly focused on AI policy and the semiconductor industry, though details were not disclosed.

The meeting came amid rising tensions over China's AI advancements, particularly after Chinese startup DeepSeek made a breakthrough using significantly fewer computing resources than U.S. competitors. The news triggered a sharp market reaction, wiping nearly $600 billion off Nvidia’s value earlier in the week.

Trump praised Huang as a “great gentleman” and hinted at possible tariffs on computer chips, though it remains unclear if this was part of their conversation. Meanwhile, Washington is considering stricter export controls on AI-related technology to curb China's rapid development.

In response to speculation that DeepSeek obtained Nvidia chips through Singapore, the city-state denied any wrongdoing, stating its authorities comply with U.S. export laws.

Nvidia has long opposed tighter U.S. export controls, arguing they might accelerate China’s self-sufficiency in semiconductor development. Despite restrictions, the company continues to sell modified AI chips in China, contributing to its $11.6 billion revenue from Chinese customers over the past nine months.

With AI and semiconductor policies at the center of global competition, Huang’s meeting with Trump signals a critical moment for the future of U.S. tech leadership.

Sources:
- The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-meets-trump-at-white-house
- Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/65e9c766-9ff7-4ff8-bff1-2c1c05c9d802