EU officials express concern over US restrictions on AI chip exports

Henna Virkkunenexecutive Vice-President

We are concerned about the US measures adopted today restricting access to advanced AI chip exports for selected EU Member States and their companies,

a joint statement by Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Commissioner Maros Sefcovic of the European Commission read

We believe it is also in the U.S. economic and security interest that the EU buys advanced AI chips from the US without limitations,

the statement noted

The new rule risks causing unintended and lasting damage to America’s economy and global competitiveness in semiconductors and AI by ceding strategic markets to our competitors,

said SIA President and CEO John Neuffer

Brad Smith (American football, born 1983)american football player

We’re confident we can comply fully with this rule’s high security standards and meet the technology needs of countries and customers around the world that rely on us,

said Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president, in a statement Monday

Previously, US high-tech enterprises, industry organizations, and others have expressed through a variety of channels their dissatisfactions and concerns (…) But the Biden administration turned a deaf ear to the reasonable voices of the industry and insisted on rushing the measures out,

it added

We're deeply disappointed that a policy shift of this magnitude and impact is being rushed out the door days before a presidential transition and without any meaningful input from industry."

Semiconductor Industry Association chief executive John Neuffer said

Gina Raimondocommerce Secretary

This policy will help build a trusted technology ecosystem around the world and allow us to protect against the national security risks associated with AI, while ensuring controls do not stifle innovation or U.S. technological leadership,

Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said

Jake Sullivannational Security Adviser

The rule both provides greater clarity to our international partners and to industry, and counters the serious circumvention and related national security risks posed by countries of concern and malicious actors who may seek to use the advanced American technologies against us,

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said

Jake Sullivannational Security Adviser

The U.S. has to be prepared for rapid increases in AI’s capability in the coming years, which could have transformative impact on the economy and on our national security,

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said

Gina Raimondocommerce Secretary

Over the coming years, AI will become really ubiquitous in every business application in every industry around the world, with enormous potential for enhanced productivity and societal, healthcare and economic benefits,

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told reporters

I think the key point I would underscore is that we identified really some of the closest security allies of the United States that have effectively implemented and have a well-documented record of upholding a robust AI technology protection regime, and generally have technology ecosystems that promote the use of AI and other advanced technologies consistent with our national security and foreign policy interests,

a senior administration official said

As AI becomes more powerful, the risks to our national security become even more intense,

Raimondo said

While we share the U.S. government’s commitment to national and economic security, the rule’s potential risks to U.S. global leadership in AI cannot be emphasized enough,

said a statement from Naomi Wilson, the group’s senior vice president for Asia and global trade policy

While cloaked in the guise of an ‘anti-China’ measure, these rules would do nothing to enhance U.S. security,

he said

Gina Raimondocommerce Secretary

The U.S. leads AI now - both AI development and AI chip design, and it's critical that we keep it that way,

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said