OpenAI has privately told US lawmakers it supports bipartisan efforts to tighten China’s access to advanced AI chips and chipmaking tools, according to people familiar with the matter. Congress is considering attaching three proposals to the annual defense bill.

The measures would restrict future sales of high-end chips, curb diversion of Nvidia processors, and further limit China’s access to equipment from ASML, the Dutch supplier of chipmaking tools.

Existing US controls have prompted Nvidia to modify H20 chips for China. The Netherlands has long blocked ASML’s extreme ultraviolet lithography exports to China and has tightened controls on some advanced deep ultraviolet systems.

Several congressional leaders support the push. Nvidia allies in Washington, including trade groups, argue the provisions would hurt companies that work with Nvidia, while the chipmaker has stayed relatively quiet.

The proposals are still under negotiation and could be dropped. The administration is wary of jeopardizing a temporary US-China trade truce involving suspended export restrictions on some Chinese firms.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg

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