U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he plans to discuss Nvidia’s flagship AI chip, Blackwell, with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting in South Korea this week. The announcement highlights how AI technology has become central to U.S.-China relations, particularly as both nations vie for leadership in the global chip race.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump praised Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) and its CEO Jensen Huang, calling the company’s new Blackwell architecture “amazing” and the work being done “unbelievable.” He confirmed that semiconductor exports and AI competition would be among the key agenda items.
“We will be speaking about Blackwell,” Trump told reporters, responding to questions about China’s restrictions on U.S. chip imports.
Following his remarks, Wall Street futures edged higher, with Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.3% in Asian trading by 22:46 ET (02:46 GMT). Investors interpreted Trump’s comments as a potential sign of easing tensions between Washington and Beijing.
Nvidia’s Blackwell at the Heart of AI Strategy
Nvidia’s Blackwell chip, unveiled earlier this year, represents one of the most powerful AI accelerators ever built. It’s designed for large-scale generative AI workloads and high-performance data centers, a market Nvidia now dominates with over 80% share.
However, U.S. export restrictions have prevented Nvidia from selling its most advanced chips to China, forcing the company to offer scaled-down versions instead. Beijing has responded by boosting domestic chip development, viewing the limits as part of a broader tech containment strategy.
During Nvidia’s first developer conference in Washington, Huang commended Trump’s stance on AI and expressed confidence that “America can win the AI race even if Chinese developers run on Nvidia hardware.” Nvidia’s shares surged to a record high on Tuesday, continuing a year-long rally that has added more than $800 billion in market capitalization.
Key Highlights:
- Nvidia’s Blackwell is central to U.S. AI infrastructure expansion.
- China remains blocked from purchasing the full chip lineup.
- Nvidia’s stock hit an all-time high after Trump’s remarks.
Broader U.S.-China Tech Tensions
The upcoming Trump-Xi meeting, scheduled for Thursday in South Korea, is expected to cover semiconductor exports, AI governance, and broader trade issues. The talks come as the world’s two largest economies remain locked in a technological rivalry shaping global supply chains.
Both governments have tightened restrictions in recent years—Washington limiting exports of high-end chips, and Beijing encouraging domestic innovation to reduce reliance on U.S. technology.
Trump’s emphasis on Nvidia underscores how AI and chip technology have become the new frontier of geopolitical influence, potentially defining future trade relations.