Democratic Senators Urge Trump to Maintain Controls on Advanced Chips to China

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and three other Democratic senators urged the Trump administration to maintain restrictions on China's access to advanced semiconductor chips and manufacturing equipment, Kevin Freking reported for The Associated Press (AP).

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer speaks at a news conference urging continued restrictions on China's access to advanced US AI chips and manufacturing equipment. [Photo: NVIDIA Facebook]

Schumer, along with Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.; Andy Kim, D-N.J.; and Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., held a news conference ahead of Xi Jinping's state visit to Washington.

They called for stronger export controls on advanced US technology and greater safeguards for artificial intelligence.

"We must reject the false choice Trump keeps making," Schumer said, arguing that the US could maintain its lead in AI while restricting China's access to advanced technology and establishing safeguards for AI.

Schumer and his colleagues have also urged Senate Republicans to advance bipartisan legislation addressing AI safety and semiconductor export controls.

In a separate Sept. 17 speech, Schumer argued that restricting China's access to the most advanced AI chips and chipmaking equipment would help protect the US technological advantage.

Democratic senators also pressed Trump to address China's relationship with Iran during his meetings with Xi.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., said China should be among the countries Washington engages over support for Iran during the ongoing conflict.