Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is set to meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., this Friday afternoon. This meeting marks their first encounter since Trump began his second term in office last week. The primary focus of their discussion will revolve around U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) policy and the regulatory challenges Nvidia faces due to international demand for its AI chips.
Nvidia, now the third most-valuable U.S. company, has been navigating complex regulations that severely limit chip sales overseas. These restrictions have sparked strong reactions from both Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). As the White House evaluates U.S. chip restrictions on China, Huang is expected to address these concerns with President Trump. Most of Nvidia's chips are produced at cutting-edge factories in Taiwan, operated by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), further complicating the situation.
In addition to AI policy, the discussion will likely touch on investments in U.S. chip production. The Commerce Department is considering revamping the previous administration's CHIPS Act, which subsidized companies like Intel and TSMC to construct new chip foundries on American soil. The so-called diffusion rules, announced by the Biden administration in its final days, will also be a topic of conversation between Huang and Trump.
Notably, Elon Musk, a significant financial supporter of Trump's campaign, has taken on a prominent advisory role within the Trump administration. As part of his responsibility, Musk oversees the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), through which he implements policies. His influence underscores the growing alignment of top technology CEOs with Trump's leadership in recent months.
Export restrictions on Nvidia's most powerful AI chips prevent them from being sold to countries such as China and Russia, with more nations potentially facing similar limitations soon. This regulatory environment adds complexity to Nvidia's operations, as demonstrated by Huang's visit to Nvidia offices in China on Inauguration Day.