US May Add Tracking Features to Chips to Curb Exports to China

The United States government is considering making changes to how computer chips are built, through both software and hardware upgrades. These changes would help improve the ability to track where the chips go, according to Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology.

Kratsios, a key official behind the AI strategy recently announced by President Donald Trump, told Bloomberg TV that the government is discussing ways to improve chip tracking. This could include modifying the chip’s software or making physical adjustments to the chips themselves.

The main aim of this effort is to stop advanced semiconductor chips—such as those made by Nvidia—from being illegally sent to China. The US wants to closely monitor where these sensitive technologies are shipped, to prevent them from ending up in the wrong hands.

President Trump’s administration is also working with major tech companies to figure out how to implement these tracking systems. The goal is to prevent smuggling and protect America’s lead in high-tech industries.

The issue has already attracted international attention. Last week, Chinese authorities summoned Nvidia representatives to discuss US efforts to track chip movements and other security-related concerns linked to the company’s H20 chips.