US Congress Tightens AI Chip Export Controls

On January 21-22, 2026, a US House committee approved a bill significantly expanding Congress's authority over the export control of high-performance AI chips. The measures aim to prevent advanced computing technologies from reaching nations viewed as geopolitical rivals.

The bill reclassifies AI chips from commercial goods to strategic assets, similar to weapons technology. This means that even "stripped-down" processor versions (e.g., for the Chinese market) will now require separate Congressional approval. The decision creates new hurdles for Nvidia and other manufacturers, while accelerating the "compute infrastructure arms race," forcing other nations to invest in their own semiconductor production.

Source: Reuters