US Unveils Export Plan to Shape AI’s Global Future

US Government Unveils AI Export Initiative to Counter China’s Influence

The United States has launched a new initiative aimed at reinforcing its position as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) while countering the growing influence of Chinese competitors. This move is part of a broader strategy to ensure that American technology remains central to the development and deployment of AI solutions worldwide.

Under this initiative, the US government is inviting American companies to form “preset” consortiums that can offer full-stack AI solutions across different regions. The International Trade Administration (ITA), an agency under the US Department of Commerce, announced that applications for these consortiums will be accepted until the end of June. The goal is to create a coordinated effort to promote American AI technologies on the global stage.

One of the key conditions for participation in these consortiums is that no member can be from or controlled by “countries of concern.” While the term is not explicitly defined in the release, previous documents have indicated that it includes China, which is seen as the primary rival to the US in the AI sector. Other countries listed in similar contexts include Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela, but only China is considered a major competitor in AI.

The initiative focuses on promoting “export packages” that include hardware, data pipelines, foundational models, cybersecurity, and industry-specific applications. These packages will be supported by the full backing of US diplomatic and financial resources. According to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the initiative aims to strengthen economic and national security, deepen relationships with allies, and ensure that the future of AI is led by the United States.

A 15-page ITA document outlining the proposal sets strict requirements for participation. Anchor members of any consortium must be incorporated in the US and free from control by “countries of concern.” Additionally, all participants, including subcontractors and local partners, must also meet these criteria.

The document does not explicitly name the countries considered “of concern,” but it refers to the definition provided in the 2026 National Defence Authorisation Act. This act includes China, among other nations. The initiative also mandates a 51% US-ownership threshold for AI models, with explicit restrictions on control by “countries of concern.”

This requirement may be waived for open-weight models if a qualified US entity assumes full responsibility for the model’s deployment, integration, and security functions. This provision directly targets high-performing Chinese models, such as DeepSeek, preventing them from being integrated into US-backed international projects even if they are widely used globally.

Proposals that focus on markets where US engagement can significantly influence a buyer’s decision when choosing between American technology and alternatives from “countries of concern” will receive priority. The executive order that the export initiative is based on directs the department to “decrease international dependence on AI technologies developed by our adversaries.”

Experts in China have raised concerns about the potential impact of this initiative. Pan Helin, a member of an experts committee at China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, stated that if implemented, the US initiative could accelerate the bifurcation of the global AI landscape into two distinct ecosystems: one led by the US and another by China. This would force other nations to make strategic choices between US-led and China-led AI technology stacks.

In recent years, US export controls on AI have become a central element of the tech rivalry between Washington and Beijing. As pressure mounts, Chinese firms have been urged to recalibrate their “going global” strategies. A January 2024 article published in the Journal of International Economic Cooperation, overseen by China’s Ministry of Commerce, emphasized the importance of increasing investment in non-US-allied markets to mitigate the effects of Washington’s restrictive measures.

According to the 2025 AI Index Report released by Stanford University, China consistently ranks second to the US in terms of AI investment, innovation, and implementation.