Tech giants including Nvidia, Google, Intel, and Anthropic lobbied against new export restrictions on AI chips during the third quarter of 2026. The companies focused their efforts on measures within the Senate's version of the National Defense Authorization Act, which funds the US military.
The lobbying efforts specifically targeted the AI OVERWATCH Act, the Chip Security Act, and the MATCH Act. These proposals aim to tighten controls on the export of advanced semiconductors, particularly those sold to China, citing national security concerns regarding the training of frontier AI models.
Nvidia and AMD also engaged directly with the Trump administration and the Department of Commerce starting in late September 2026. Their objective is to delay or block new sales restrictions. Nvidia previously reported a $4.5 billion charge in 2025 related to export rules affecting its H20 chips.
Industry positions remain divided. While Anthropic is lobbying against the current proposals, it has previously supported stricter measures. OpenAI, which formerly advocated for stringent export controls to China, appears to be shifting its stance according to recent reports.
