Nvidia CEO on Tariffs, AI Chips, China Competition

The Nvidia CEO emphasizes the company’s major investments in U.S. infrastructure and manufacturing to maintain technological leadership, advocating for supportive policies and international collaboration in AI development. He also highlights the competitive landscape with China and Huawei, stressing the importance of sustained innovation and strategic efforts to stay ahead in the global AI race.

The Nvidia CEO discusses the company’s substantial investment of $500 billion in the United States, emphasizing that this is more than just a financial figure; it represents a significant effort to develop infrastructure and build manufacturing capabilities domestically. He highlights the importance of collaboration with various partners to achieve these goals and notes that Nvidia plans to establish its own factories to support this extensive investment. The CEO underscores that such large-scale projects require coordinated efforts and substantial resources to succeed.

Regarding tariffs and government policies, the CEO expresses optimism that the administration has a good plan in place. He advocates for policies that support and accelerate the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies. He suggests that a supportive regulatory environment is crucial for maintaining the U.S.'s competitive edge in the rapidly evolving AI industry and that constructive dialogue with policymakers is essential to foster innovation.

The conversation then shifts to the Biden administration’s diffusion rules, which categorize countries into different buckets affecting technology exports. The Nvidia CEO admits uncertainty about the specifics of the new rules but emphasizes that the global landscape has changed significantly since the previous regulations. He advocates for policies that promote the rapid dissemination of American technology worldwide, believing that such measures will help the U.S. maintain leadership in AI and advanced computing.

Addressing concerns about Huawei, the CEO acknowledges the company’s formidable capabilities in computing, networking, and software, recognizing Huawei as a significant competitor in AI development. He notes that Huawei has made remarkable progress in recent years and that the U.S. and its allies should implement policies that enable American companies to accelerate AI development and compete effectively on the global stage. The CEO stresses the importance of maintaining technological leadership amid rising competition.

Finally, the CEO comments on China’s position in AI research, asserting that China is not behind but very close to the U.S. in technological capabilities. He describes the competition as a long-term, ongoing race, emphasizing that China has a strong will and significant technical talent, with half of the world’s AI researchers being Chinese. He concludes that the industry will require sustained effort and strategic focus from both countries to succeed, highlighting the importance of resilience and continuous innovation in the global AI race.