July 15, 2026
Did the U.S. Just Lose Its AI Advantage to China?
For years, the United States has tried to slow China's technological rise by restricting access to advanced chips and semiconductor technology. But new trade figures suggest China's AI-powered export machine is accelerating. Trade in AI-related computing hardware jumped by more than 56% in the first half of 2026, helping drive record exports of chips, electronics and advanced technology.
Do these figures suggest U.S. efforts to contain China's AI industry are falling short? Or is China simply benefiting from an explosion in global demand for AI infrastructure?
Daniel Remler is a fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). In this interview he explains how Beijing has adapted to U.S. export controls, what China's growing role in the global AI supply chain means for Washington and Europe, and whether these figures signal a broader shift in the balance of technological power.
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