China’s quest for AI self-reliance undeterred by Trump’s new action plan
Growth expected for Beijing’s AI industry despite US curbs, with some estimating a 55 per cent domestic market share for Chinese firms by 2027
Despite recent concessions and shifts in rhetoric, US President Donald Trump’s new artificial intelligence action plan leaves the core of American policy towards China unchanged – maintaining tight restrictions on key technologies while accelerating deregulation and infrastructure support for his country’s AI giants.
Analysts said the administration’s strategy would intensify the US-China tech rivalry, and with Washington unlikely to loosen its grip, China would have little choice but to double down on self-reliance.
“So far, the ‘yard’ hasn’t gotten any smaller,” added Bo, a partner at the independent China-focused research platform. “What’s different is the rhetoric – it’s now more head-to-head than containment.”
The 28-page action plan tasks the US Commerce Department with closing loopholes in current export restrictions, boosting oversight of end users abroad, and exploring the use of geolocation tools to block access to “countries of concern” such as China.