The Donald Trump administration plans to revoke the AI Semiconductor Export Control Policy introduced by the Biden administration, as reported by Reuters and other sources on Wednesday.
According to Reuters, a spokesperson for the Department of Commerce described the AI export control policy introduced under the Biden administration as excessively complicated and bureaucratic, stating that it will be replaced.
The Biden administration introduced the AI semiconductor export control system, known as the ‘AI Expansion Framework,’ in January during the closing days of Biden’s term. The rule aimed to tighten restrictions on AI chip exports and related technologies, specifically targeting China and other nations over security risks. The policy classified countries into three tiers based on national affiliations, imposing limits or outright bans on chip exports accordingly.

Under the Biden framework, 17 countries and Taiwan had unrestricted access to U.S. AI chips, while approximately 120 nations were subject to export limitations. Countries categorized as security concerns—such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—were completely barred from access. Based on sources familiar with the matter, officials in the Trump administration are considering replacing the tiered system with a global licensing model based on bilateral agreements between governments.
Sources indicate that officials reviewing the policy found it challenging to enforce and inadequate for promoting U.S. technological leadership. The Commerce Department spokeswoman stated that discussions are still underway but did not specify a timeline for implementing the new regulation.

The Trump administration is engaging in trade negotiations with major countries. Some analysts suggest that AI semiconductor export controls would become part of these discussions. In March, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick expressed his intent to integrate provisions into future trade agreements that would prevent circumvention of export controls, with the goal of limiting China’s access to U.S.-made semiconductors.
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