Summary:
New U.S. export rules under President Donald Trump directly target Huawei’s Ascend AI chips, tightening restrictions on Chinese semiconductor development. The move highlights Huawei’s growing ability to produce high-performance AI chips and deepens the ongoing tech rivalry between the U.S. and China.
Washington Sharpens Focus on Huawei’s AI Hardware
The United States has introduced a fresh round of export controls aimed at Huawei Technologies, specifically naming its Ascend series of artificial intelligence chips. The updated guidelines, issued by the U.S. Commerce Department under President Trump, define the use of Huawei’s AI processors “anywhere in the world” as a violation of U.S. trade rules.
This marks a significant shift from previous export policies, scrapping the former administration’s “AI diffusion” rule that categorized countries by tier. For the first time, the U.S. has explicitly singled out Huawei’s Ascend chips in an official directive.
Huawei’s Growing Role in China’s AI Industry
Huawei has become a critical player in China’s AI landscape. Its Ascend chips, though largely kept under wraps, are believed to rival Nvidia’s AI processors in performance, reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign hardware. Local companies, such as DeepSeek, have been using Huawei’s technology to power large language models and other AI applications.
Despite the company’s secrecy around the specifications and production of its newer chips—including the Ascend 910C and 910D—third-party reports suggest they offer highly competitive performance. Some tests show Huawei’s 910B delivering up to 80% of the Nvidia A100’s training capabilities, with certain workloads surpassing Nvidia by 20%.
Impact of U.S. Measures on Global Tech and Trade
Analysts believe the new rules will force global firms to align with either American or Chinese hardware ecosystems, further deepening the tech divide between the two economic giants. Chim Lee, a senior analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), noted that strict enforcement could lead to retaliation from China and potentially influence ongoing trade negotiations.
The new policy also poses significant legal and financial risks for companies found using or distributing Huawei’s AI chips in ways that contravene U.S. rules. Penalties could include fines or criminal charges.
Secrecy and Censorship Surround Huawei’s Chip Operations
Since the introduction of its first Ascend 910 chip in 2019, Huawei has opted not to publicly disclose newer chip models, release timelines, or fabrication partners. Public discussions around these chips are limited within China, and state media have yet to comment on the new U.S. measures.
A Canadian research firm previously discovered that Huawei’s 910B chip used components manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), raising further questions about compliance with U.S. sanctions.
Despite the pressure, Huawei is reportedly preparing to mass-produce the 910C and has distributed 910D samples to select partners. The company also plans to release the Ascend 920 later this year, built on a 6-nanometre process, positioning it as a possible replacement for Nvidia’s H20—currently restricted from sale to China.
Outlook: A Cold Tech War That’s Far From Over
The EIU’s Chim Lee warned that these latest restrictions may slow down China’s domestic chip development in the short term, but are unlikely to halt its AI ambitions entirely. As China continues to push for technological self-reliance, Huawei’s chip innovation remains at the center of this geopolitical standoff.
Source: South China Morning Post
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