Trump Considers Revising Three-Tier AI Chip Export Controls...Linking to Trade Negotiations

"Considering Shift from Tiered System to Country-by-Country Negotiations"

The Donald Trump administration in the United States is reviewing changes to the export regulations for artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors that were established during former President Joe Biden's term. The administration is considering abolishing the existing three-tier export controls and adopting a system in which AI chips are exported based on intergovernmental negotiations.

On the 29th (local time), Reuters reported, citing sources, that the U.S. administration is discussing ways to revise the semiconductor export regulations announced at the end of the Biden administration under the name "AI Proliferation Framework."

Although nothing has been finalized yet, if the regulation changes are actually implemented, the United States would be able to use semiconductors as a more powerful bargaining chip in trade negotiations. Previously, there were no export restrictions for allied countries, including South Korea, but if negotiations are conducted on a case-by-case basis, the United States could include its dominant AI chips in the negotiation agenda.

The "AI Proliferation Framework," which was announced in January and is scheduled to take effect on May 13, classifies countries into three tiers: ▲ 17 allied and partner countries including South Korea ▲ about 120 general countries ▲ and three countries of concern, namely North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran. The system controls AI semiconductor exports according to these tiers. There are no export restrictions for allied countries, general countries are subject to export caps, and countries of concern face export controls.

However, according to sources, the Trump administration is considering replacing the phased approach with intergovernmental agreements. Wilbur Ross, former Secretary of Commerce during Trump's first term, stated, "There are voices calling for the abolition of phased tariffs," adding that the issue is still ongoing and that intergovernmental agreements could be one alternative.

Another source indicated that negotiating AI semiconductor exports with individual countries is likely to align with President Trump's overall trade strategy. This would allow the United States to use access to its semiconductors as leverage in other negotiations. Previously, on March 18, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick stated that the United States aims to include indirect export controls in trade agreements with other countries to prevent China from acquiring U.S.-made semiconductors.

Reuters also reported that policy changes to further tighten AI semiconductor export controls compared to the current system are possible. Currently, orders of up to about 1,700 Nvidia high-performance H100 chips are not included in the country-specific caps, and it is sufficient to simply notify the authorities of the export without obtaining a license. However, sources said that the Trump administration is considering lowering this threshold to 500 H100 chips or fewer.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.