To answer that question, let’s take a look at what the administration released on Wednesday—its “America’s AI Action Plan.” This effort is designed to strengthen the United States’ position as a leader in artificial intelligence technology, domestically and internationally. The plan calls for the global opening up of the U.S. AI market. It intends to make sure that American innovations stay in the front, particularly when competing against China.
The most significant part of the plan is the introduction of strict export controls on sensitive technologies. The document states, “America must impose strong export controls on sensitive technologies.” This directive is a significant indication of the administration’s commitment to safeguarding U.S. innovations from being taken or copied by our enemies.
The AI Action Plan continues ahead after the formal withdrawal of the Biden administration’s AI Diffusion Rule. This rule was supposed to come into effect shortly before it was rescinded in May. This policy move would be quite monumental. As we anticipate the roll out of several executive orders from the Trump administration, July 23 is the current date for their release ⌗ –
The Trump administration recently allowed semiconductor firms such as Nvidia and AMD to resume selling AI chips they developed for the Chinese market, despite having imposed licensing restrictions just months prior. This was intended to keep Nvidia from remaining in the Chinese market at all.
The AI Action Plan includes a pledge to develop a whole-of-government framework for enforcing chip export restrictions. Specifically, it shows that despite export controls being applied to key systems required for chip manufacturing, many component sub-systems are not yet regulated. This gap could give opponents a means to counter U.S. attempts to retain technological superiority.
Additionally, the administration wants to use its comparative AI strengths to build long-term international partnerships. The plan underscores the importance of preventing adversaries from benefiting from U.S. innovations and investments without contributing their fair share.
In detailing strategies for international cooperation, the plan states, “We should encourage partners and allies to follow U.S. controls, and not backfill. If they do, America should use tools such as the Foreign Direct Product Rule and secondary tariffs to achieve greater international alignment.” By doing so, the Trump administration aims to create a unified front against countries that might attempt to undermine U.S. technological leadership.
The action plan highlights America’s current standing as a global leader in various aspects of AI technology, stating, “America currently is the global leader on data center construction, computing hardware performance, and models.” This statement is intended to reinforce confidence in U.S. strengths, while pointing out the need to further build on this advantage.
The administration appears to be laying the bets for the action to come. It will need to be especially committed to laying down strong rules and building international coalitions to safeguard America’s interests in the fast-evolving sector of artificial intelligence.
