• Trump declares Nvidia's Blackwell AI chips off-limits for foreign markets, particularly China.
• Nvidia has plans to supply over 260,000 Blackwell chips to South Korea.
• Concerns in Washington grow over potential military applications of AI technology in China.
• Trump's comments reflect a broader strategy to safeguard U.S. technological superiority.
• Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang states the company has not pursued export licenses for China.

U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated that Nvidia’s advanced Blackwell AI chips will not be available for sale to China or other foreign entities. "We cannot sell them to China. We cannot sell them to other people," Trump stated, highlighting the technology's significance in maintaining U.S. national security and technological leadership. His remarks came during a taped interview on CBS's 60 Minutes and comments made aboard Air Force One, indicating a firm stance on restricting access to cutting-edge technologies, especially to China, amid rising geopolitical tensions according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and India Times.

This announcement comes as Nvidia, a dominant player in the AI chip market and with a market capitalization surpassing $5 trillion, commits to supplying over 260,000 Blackwell chips to South Korea. These chips are integral for developing next-generation AI systems, which include large language models and advanced data processing technologies. The South Korean government views this deal as essential for enhancing its AI infrastructure and aligning with its national digital transformation goals, as detailed by Reuters, South China Morning Post, and India Times.

Concerns regarding China’s potential access to Blackwell chips center on the possibility of enhancing its military capabilities through advanced AI technology. U.S. lawmakers, including Congressman John Moolenaar, have voiced strong opposition to the sale of such technologies to China, equating it to providing "weapons-grade uranium." As a result, Trump's administration appears to be firmly enforcing restrictions on exports of high-performance chips that could be utilized for military or surveillance purposes, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and India Times.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has indicated that the company has not sought U.S. export licenses for the Chinese market due to the current unfavorable stance from Beijing toward Nvidia's operations. He mentioned that Nvidia still needs access to China for supporting its U.S. research and development efforts, emphasizing the delicate balance in international tech trade relationships, as reported by Reuters, South China Morning Post, and India Times.