EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Banks ‘Very Suspicious’ Of Nvidia Opposition To Bill Restricting Chip Sales To China

Republican Indiana Sen. Jim Banks said in an exclusive interview with the 🏢Daily Caller News Foundation that he’s “very suspicious” of Nvidia’s opposition to his bill restricting critical chip sales to China.

The GAIN AI Act, introduced by Banks, would restrict export of advanced chips to embargoed nations such as China when there is unmet demand in the U.S. Co-sponsored by Republican Sens. Tom Cotton and Dave McCormick, along with Democrat Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer, and Chris Coons, the bill was passed by the Senate in October as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 and now returns to the House for reconciliation.

Nvidia has voiced public opposition to the bill, saying that the measure would restrict competition and adding that the company would “never” deprive American customers by selling their chips internationally.

“You have to ask yourself, why would Nvidia be opposed to that? I mean, it’s common sense,” Banks told the DCNF. “Their opposition makes me very suspicious.”

Advanced chips, like the ones Nvidia produces, are a critical currency in the ongoing artificial intelligence (AI) race between China and the U.S. Additionally, the chips have a slew of military applications