ALWAGHT- China denounced new US warnings over AI chip use as "bullying" and pledged strong countermeasures to defend its tech industry.
China has fiercely criticized new US guidelines warning against the use of Chinese-made AI chips, calling the measures "unilateral bullying" and harmful to global supply chains. In a statement from its Commerce Ministry, Beijing accused Washington of abusing export controls to stifle Chinese technological progress, particularly targeting Huawei's AI-focused Ascend chips. The ministry warned that any party cooperating with these restrictions could face legal consequences under Chinese law, and vowed to protect China’s national interests.
The US claims the restrictions are meant to prevent advanced AI chips from enhancing military capabilities or falling into the hands of strategic rivals. A tiered system divides countries by trust level, exempting key allies like Japan and South Korea while partially limiting others. However, critics argue the approach disrupts global markets and could undermine US leadership in the semiconductor industry. Industry leaders such as Nvidia and AMD opposed the policy, and their stocks rose after some controls were eased due to pressure from US allies.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang described the export restrictions as a "failure," noting that rather than slowing China down, they spurred rapid domestic development in AI chip technology. Speaking in Taiwan, he emphasized the determination and skill of local Chinese firms, which have accelerated their capabilities with government backing. With legal threats from China and deepening mistrust between the two nations, the escalating chip war risks widening the global tech divide and reshaping the future of AI innovation.
