The Biden administration has taken a significant step in its efforts to restrict AI chip exports to China, adding 14 Chinese companies to its restricted trade list, according to a report by The Associated Press. This move brings the total number of companies on the list to 25, highlighting the administration's commitment to limiting the flow of advanced technology to China.

One of the most notable additions to the list is Sophgo, a company tied to Bitmain, a Chinese hardware giant. Sophgo made international headlines in December when it was identified as an intermediary between Huawei and Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC. The company's involvement in the supply chain raised suspicions, particularly after a chip found on Huawei's Ascend 910B AI processor was linked to a purchase made by Sophgo from TSMC.

The Biden administration's decision to blacklist Sophgo is seen as a significant move, given the company's role in facilitating the flow of advanced technology to Huawei. The Chinese tech giant has been at the center of a heated trade dispute between the US and China, with the US government accusing Huawei of posing a national security risk due to its close ties to the Chinese government.

The move comes amid a flurry of activity in the final days of the Biden administration, which has been pushing for sweeping AI chip export restrictions. The administration's "Interim Final Rule on Artificial Intelligence Diffusion" has drawn a swift and sharp response from the industry, with American silicon AI giant Nvidia calling the action "misguided."

Nvidia's statement praised the first Trump administration's handling of AI, while criticizing the outgoing administration's approach. The company argued that the new rule would impose "bureaucratic control" over the design and marketing of semiconductors, computers, and software, stifling competition and innovation in the process.

The industry backlash highlights the complexities of the US-China trade dispute, particularly when it comes to AI and technology exports. The Huawei blacklisting, which was implemented during the first Trump administration, has had significant implications for the company's ability to access American technologies, including Google's Android and Qualcomm chips.

As the incoming administration prepares to take office, it remains to be seen how the US-China trade dispute will evolve. While the Biden administration has taken a tough stance on China, the new administration may adopt a different approach, balancing the need to protect American technological advantage with the need to foster innovation and competition in the AI sector.

The addition of 14 Chinese companies to the restricted trade list serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions between the US and China, particularly when it comes to advanced technology. As the AI race continues to heat up, the US government's efforts to restrict exports to China will likely remain a key area of focus, with significant implications for the tech industry and American innovation.