New US export controls reportedly target Chinese access to remote AI servers — Trump admin's cut-down AI diffusion rule could be shared with industry as soon as September

The Trump administration is considering a new AI export control to address the loophole allowing China access to advanced AI compute through remote servers in nearby countries like Thailand and Singapore. These countries are not subject to the same export controls as China. The Department of Commerce may share the proposed rule with trade groups as early as September for feedback.

This potential rule comes amid ongoing uncertainty over the administration's plans to regulate AI exports to China, following the revocation of the AI Diffusion Rule in early 2025. The issue is complicated by existing 2022-era rules that restrict Chinese access to advanced semiconductors and AI chips. The proposed control may face legal challenges, as the Commerce Department traditionally regulates physical goods' transportation rather than remote access.