Nvidia is opposing Anthropic’s strong backing for the U.S. government’s planned export controls on American-made AI chips. Anthropic recently reaffirmed its support for the Department of Commerce’s “Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion,” which is scheduled to take effect on May 15 and would significantly tighten the export rules for AI chips.
In a sharply worded response, Nvidia dismissed Anthropic’s rationale, criticizing its portrayal of chip smuggling into sanctioned countries, notably China. “American firms should focus on innovation and rise to the challenge, rather than tell tall tales that large, heavy, and sensitive electronics are somehow smuggled in ‘baby bumps’ or ‘alongside live lobsters,'” a company spokesperson stated, referencing Anthropic’s claims of illegal chip trafficking methods.
Nvidia has substantial business at stake, having estimated that the upcoming licensing restrictions on its advanced H20 AI chips could result in revenue losses reaching $5.5 billion for the first quarter of its fiscal year 2026.
The contentious debate underscores tension within the tech industry as it grapples with balancing national security interests, corporate competitiveness, and global technological leadership.
