Trump and Xi Meeting Avoids Nvidia’s Blackwell Chip — U.S.–China Tech Tensions Deepen

Trump and Xi Meeting: Nvidia’s Blackwell Chip Left Out of Talks Despite High Expectations

In an unexpected outcome, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping did not discuss Nvidia’s advanced Blackwell AI chip during their meeting in Busan, South Korea, despite widespread expectations that the topic would dominate their technology talks.

Analysts had predicted that this summit could signal a thaw in the U.S.–China tech rivalry, especially given the symbolic importance of Nvidia’s latest high-performance AI processor. However, the export restrictions on advanced semiconductors introduced under the Biden administration remain firmly in place under Trump, preventing China from accessing cutting-edge AI hardware.

After the meeting, President Trump told reporters,

“We’re not talking about the Blackwell.”

The two leaders did, however, discuss broader issues such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, rare earth minerals, fentanyl trafficking, and trade normalization, but the deliberate omission of Nvidia’s Blackwell chip was notable. Analysts say this reflects Washington’s commitment to maintain its technological edge by limiting Beijing’s access to top-tier AI chips.

Investors had hoped the meeting might open a pathway for renewed tech cooperation, but the lack of discussion on Nvidia disappointed markets. Meanwhile, China continues to push its domestic chipmakers to reduce dependency on U.S. suppliers, marking a new phase in the U.S.–China “tech cold war.”

Experts note that this dynamic underscores how semiconductor policy, national security, and industrial strategy are now deeply intertwined. Interestingly, Trump also confirmed that Taiwan was not discussed — a move analysts say was meant to avoid adding geopolitical tension to an already sensitive dialogue.

In summary, the absence of Nvidia’s Blackwell chip from the Trump–Xi meeting underscores the delicate balance between technology and geopolitics. The episode highlights that the race for AI dominance is no longer just about innovation — it’s about control, policy, and global power.