The writer is the author of ‘Chip War’ What does the return of Donald Trump imply for the global chip war? Trump didn’t start the subsidy race — credit here goes to Chinese leader Xi Jinping — but his first administration focused the US on tech competition with China. Biden then extended Trump-era policies regarding tariffs, subsidies, and export controls. Now Trump is returning just as artificial intelligence intensifies demand for computing power.
Either way, the coalition restraining tech transfer to China will remain imperfect but should hold together. What of domestic US manufacturing? The recent departure of Intel chief executive Pat Gelsinger underscores the challenges that the company — central to Biden’s chip strategy — faces, despite negotiating billions of dollars in grants under the 2022 Chips Act.