Nvidia CEO Skips Trump's Inauguration for Lunar New Year Celebrations

In a surprising move, Jensen Huang, the CEO of Nvidia, announced that he will not be attending the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Instead, he plans to honor the Lunar New Year by spending time on the road with Nvidia employees and their families, creating a buzz about the tech giant's commitment to its workforce.

During a recent Nvidia New Year celebration in Taipei, when questioned by reporters about discussions with the incoming Trump administration regarding newly proposed artificial intelligence export control regulations from the Biden administration, Huang responded, “Not yet.” He expressed his intention to congratulate Trump’s team once they take office.

Huang’s recent engagements also included a lunch meeting with C.C. Wei, chairman of TSMC, Nvidia's primary supplier. They discussed strategies for scaling up production of Nvidia’s cutting-edge AI chips, known as Blackwell. The demand for these chips has surged significantly, boosting Nvidia into the upper echelons of global corporations, now boasting a market capitalization exceeding $3 trillion.

However, the newly imposed U.S. export controls on AI chips could pose challenges for Nvidia’s anticipated growth. These restrictions, laid out by the Biden administration, limit exports to most countries, with exceptions for a select few allies, notably Taiwan. The regulations are aimed at preventing potential military advancements in China through AI technologies.

Nvidia has openly criticized these export restrictions, suggesting they could impede the United States' leadership in the AI sector. As Trump prepares to take office on January 20, the question remains how his administration will approach these regulatory changes, especially since both Trump and Biden share concerns regarding competition from China.

The new regulations are set to be enacted 120 days after publication, providing the incoming administration a window to assess their implications. Huang has been actively celebrating the New Year across different regions, recently hosting an event in Shenzhen and planning a visit to Beijing for another company celebration.

With these developments, all eyes are on Nvidia as it navigates the challenging landscape of AI technology and international trade, igniting discussions on the future of tech leadership amidst evolving geopolitical tensions.