Trump and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Discuss AI Chip Exports, DeepSeek’s Rise in High-Stakes White House Meeting

In a high-profile meeting at the White House on Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang delved into critical discussions surrounding AI chip exports and the rapid rise of Chinese AI firm DeepSeek, according to a source familiar with the matter.

While Trump remained tight-lipped about specific details, he described Huang as a "gentleman," adding, "I can't say what's gonna happen. We had a meeting. It was a good meeting."

This closed-door session comes at a pivotal time, as the U.S. government prepares to impose tighter restrictions on AI chip exports this spring. The move aims to safeguard America’s technological edge in advanced computing, restricting access to nations like China while reinforcing alliances with key partners.

An Nvidia spokesperson confirmed the meeting, stating, "We appreciated the opportunity to meet with President Trump and discuss semiconductors and AI policy. Jensen and the President discussed the importance of strengthening U.S. technology and AI leadership."

The meeting, reportedly arranged before DeepSeek’s groundbreaking AI model disrupted the tech landscape, highlighted growing concerns over China’s accelerating AI capabilities. DeepSeek recently launched a free AI assistant that operates with significantly less data and at a fraction of the cost compared to leading U.S. models—raising alarm bells in Washington and Silicon Valley alike.

According to the source, Trump views DeepSeek’s emergence as a sign that U.S. companies may no longer need to heavily invest in developing low-cost AI alternatives, potentially reshaping America’s AI strategy.

As tensions rise over global AI dominance, this meeting underscores the U.S.’s urgent efforts to maintain its leadership in cutting-edge technologies while countering China’s rapid advancements in artificial intelligence.