By Stephen Simon
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is drafting new rules that would ban imports of new models of Chinese-made data centre networking equipment, in a move aimed at protecting America’s rapidly expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure from potential cyber and national security threats.
According to people familiar with the matter, the proposal is being prepared by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is considering restrictions on Chinese-made optical transceivers—critical components that transmit data through fibre-optic cables linking servers inside data centres. Officials hope to publish the new rules later this year, although discussions are still ongoing and the proposal could yet be modified before implementation.
The proposed restrictions form part of Washington’s broader strategy to reduce dependence on Chinese technology in sectors regarded as vital to national security. U.S. officials are concerned that Chinese-made components embedded deep within AI infrastructure could expose sensitive data to espionage, malware or future disruption should geopolitical tensions escalate.
Industry experts say the move reflects growing competition between the United States and China over artificial intelligence and advanced computing. As governments and technology companies invest billions of dollars in new AI data centres, securing the hardware supply chain has become a top priority. Analysts argue that preventing potential vulnerabilities at the infrastructure level is easier than addressing them after systems have been deployed.
The proposed ban is expected to affect some of China’s leading manufacturers of optical networking equipment, including firms that supply components to major global technology companies. Beijing has repeatedly rejected U.S. allegations that Chinese technology poses a security risk, insisting its companies operate in accordance with international commercial standards and warning that it would respond to measures that undermine Chinese business interests.
Technology analysts believe the restrictions could further deepen the global divide in semiconductor and telecommunications supply chains, forcing manufacturers and cloud service providers to seek alternative suppliers. They also warn that while the measures may strengthen security, they could increase costs and delay expansion plans for some AI data centres.
The latest proposal underscores the intensifying technological rivalry between the world’s two largest economies. With artificial intelligence now viewed as a strategic national asset, governments are increasingly treating the infrastructure supporting AI as critical national infrastructure, placing it at the centre of trade, security and foreign policy debates.
