Congressional Democrats Raise Alarm Over Advanced Chip Sales to China

Congressional Democrats are voicing serious concerns about the Trump administration’s decision to allow sales of cutting-edge computer chips to China, highlighting growing tensions over technology exports to America’s primary geopolitical rival.

Representative Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) formally challenged the administration in a letter sent Monday to Under Secretary for Industry and Security Jeffrey Kessler, demanding explanations for approving exports of NVIDIA’s advanced H200 chips to China.

“The President directing you to approve licenses of the H200 falls within a deeply concerning pattern that undercuts our nation’s security,” the lawmakers wrote in their joint letter.

The H200 chip represents one of the world’s most sophisticated computational devices, playing a critical role in artificial intelligence development and advanced computing applications. NVIDIA was initially ordered to halt sales of such technology to China in 2022 under the Biden administration, which cited national security concerns.

At that time, the government stated that the restrictions were necessary to “address the risk that the covered products may be used in, or diverted to, a ‘military end use’ or ‘military end user’ in China,” according to NVIDIA’s regulatory filings.

Meeks based his formal request on the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA), a 2018 law governing federal authority over technology-related exports. The act requires the Department of Commerce to respond to concerns raised by ranking members of the foreign affairs and armed services committees.

“In ECRA, Congress stated the policy of the United States is ‘to restrict the export of items which would make a significant contribution to the military potential of any other country,'” Meeks noted in the letter. “Approving licenses for items like NVIDIA’s H200 chips, which the Justice Department recently described as ‘integral to modern military applications,’ would be deeply at odds with the policy that Congress articulated in ECRA.”

The lawmakers’ concerns extend beyond China to include recent approvals for exports to other nations with questionable human rights records and ties to Beijing. “Just last month, you approved the export of tens of thousands of advanced AI chips, worth an estimated $1 billion, to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, despite significant concerns about these countries’ human rights records and their close relationships with the People’s Republic of China,” Meeks stated.

The controversy highlights the complex balancing act between maintaining America’s technological edge and commercial interests in global markets. The semiconductor industry, particularly advanced AI chips, represents a critical battleground in the ongoing economic and strategic competition between the United States and China.

Over the past several years, Congress has taken multiple steps to limit Chinese technology influence in the United States, including banning Chinese-made Huawei devices for government employees and passing legislation forcing the divestment of TikTok due to data security concerns. Many lawmakers view the decision to resume sales of advanced chips as inconsistent with these previous security measures.

While some Republicans share these concerns, others have defended the Trump administration’s position, arguing that the reversal fits into a broader strategy to ensure American competitiveness in the global technology market. Supporters suggest that controlled exports could potentially benefit American companies while maintaining appropriate safeguards.

The global artificial intelligence race adds further complexity to the debate. Industry experts have warned that China is making rapid advances in AI development, with some business leaders like Kevin O’Leary publicly stating that China is outpacing the United States in certain aspects of AI innovation.

Meeks and Warren have requested the administration provide detailed answers about the factors that led to the export approval decision by January 12, 2026. The outcome of this inquiry could significantly impact U.S.-China technology relations and the future of export controls on advanced computing technologies.