Trump Divides His Own Ranks with AI Exports to the Middle East

Beneath the surface, a growing conflict brews within the administration, where top officials grapple over the implications of exporting advanced American AI technology to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The Trump administration has struck deals to send tens of thousands of AI chips from Nvidia and AMD to Saudi Arabia, and up to one million accelerator cards to the UAE.

These involve technologies capable of training advanced AI models and, eventually, building massive data centers in the region. However, not everyone is on board with this direction.

Internal Uprising Against AI Deals

Several senior advisors and officials warn that these deliveries could ultimately benefit China, despite contractual terms excluding Chinese access.

They fear the open doors to the Middle East might also serve as back doors to Beijing.

“If we allow this kind of technological proliferation without legally binding guarantees, we risk undermining our own security,” was the concern expressed by several anonymous sources in the White House, according to Bloomberg.

Particularly, David Sacks, Trump’s AI and crypto advisor, faces criticism internally for his readiness to negotiate with Gulf leaders at a level many view as reckless in terms of security politics.

Sacks, however, dismisses these concerns, calling Saudi Arabia a “friend and strategic partner.”

U.S. Technological Supremacy at Stake

These agreements come at a time when the U.S. is striving to maintain its global leadership position in the AI race.

In February, Vice President JD Vance stated that “the Trump administration will ensure that the most powerful AI systems are built in the U.S. with American-designed and produced chips.”

Yet, skeptics see the export as a real maelstrom of conflicting interests: the spread of technology should ensure the U.S.’s dominance but also needs protection from strategic rivals like China.

When Gulf states are simultaneously investing 2.4 trillion dollars in American companies, decision-makers are pushed to the edge.

Ethical Minefield and Political Balancing Act

Talks between Trump and Middle Eastern leaders unfolded in the backdrop of the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Riyadh and continued in Abu Dhabi.

While public statements focus on innovation and partnership, many officials are preoccupied with more delicate matters such as Huawei, G42, and plans for a TSMC plant in the UAE.

“The policy of preventing technology transfer to countries of concern is important for the U.S., but it is not easy to enforce,” Sacks stated at an event with Saudi Arabia’s IT minister.

This statement is deemed naive by several in the administration, who still recall the geopolitical consequences of earlier technology exports.

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