According to Reuters, President Donald Trump met with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang at the White House on Friday, January 31. This meeting, planned for several weeks, aimed to discuss tightening AI chip exports and addressing the rise of DeepSeek, an AI tool originating from China.
President Trump and Nvidia CEO discuss DeepSeek
President Trump and CEO Jensen Huang exchanged views on the challenges posed by DeepSeek (Photo: Getty).
Context of the Meeting
The meeting took place amid the U.S. government’s efforts to tighten AI chip exports further to maintain technological advantages domestically and among allies. Sources reported that both parties discussed measures to limit the development of DeepSeek, an AI tool causing global disruption in the tech industry.
A spokesperson for Nvidia confirmed the meeting and stated that President Trump and CEO Jensen Huang exchanged views on AI development, AI chip exports, and ways to enhance America’s leading position in this field.
DeepSeek: A Major Challenge for the U.S.
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI tool, garnered global attention with the release of its R1 version on January 20. With superior capabilities and response speeds, DeepSeek is rated on par with renowned American tools like ChatGPT and Gemini. Notably, DeepSeek was developed and operated for less than $6 million, while American companies have invested tens, even hundreds of billions of dollars.
President Trump referred to DeepSeek as a “wake-up call” for the U.S. tech industry. He urged American companies to focus resources on winning the AI race against China.
Impact on Nvidia and the Market
The rise of DeepSeek has put significant pressure on Nvidia. The company’s stock price dropped from $147.22 (January 23) to $120.07 at the time of writing. Investors are concerned that Nvidia may not continue selling advanced AI chips due to companies potentially using cheaper chips to develop efficient AI systems.
U.S. Strategy in the AI Race
The meeting between President Trump and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang highlights the U.S.’s efforts to curb the development of DeepSeek through tighter AI chip exports to China. This move is part of a broader strategy to maintain America’s leadership in artificial intelligence.
Many analysts believe that the U.S. may adopt more stringent measures to contain DeepSeek, including expanding export restrictions on AI chips.
Conclusion
The meeting between President Trump and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang reflects the U.S.’s concerns over the rapid development of DeepSeek. This is not just a technological race but also a strategic competition between superpowers the U.S. and China. The future of the AI industry will depend on how both sides address these challenges.
