Trump Administration Announces Bold New International AI Strategy

On July 22, 2025, the White House unveiled a comprehensive strategy aimed at expanding U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) technology internationally while reducing domestic regulatory constraints. This initiative marks a significant policy shift under President Donald Trump, diverging from the more cautious approach of his predecessor, Joe Biden.

The strategy is structured around three main pillars: infrastructure, innovation, and global influence. The infrastructure component aims to streamline permitting processes for data centers and modernize the energy grid. The innovation pillar seeks to cut regulatory barriers and promote the development of open-weight AI models, while also discouraging international restrictions that could affect U.S. competitiveness. The third pillar emphasizes promoting American AI models globally to counter the influence of rising Chinese AI technologies.

A key aspect of the plan involves barring federal AI funding from states that have enacted stringent AI regulations. Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is instructed to evaluate whether state-imposed AI laws conflict with federal authority, potentially leading to preemption of restrictive state regulations. The strategy also emphasizes the development and dissemination of open-source AI models to foster innovation and collaboration within the industry.

The Commerce Department is tasked with leading efforts to export American AI technologies through full-stack deployment and data center projects, aiming to bolster the global presence of U.S. AI. The plan includes streamlining permitting processes for data centers and modernizing the energy grid to support AI infrastructure. Enhanced utilization of AI within the Department of Defense is also a focal point, aiming to strengthen national security capabilities.

This strategy marks a departure from the Biden administration's approach, which emphasized national security and imposed restrictions on AI chip exports to prevent misuse by adversaries like China. President Trump has rescinded these restrictions, focusing instead on maintaining U.S. dominance in AI and minimizing regulatory barriers.

White House AI czar David Sacks has downplayed concerns related to chip smuggling, emphasizing the importance of AI growth over excessive regulation. Sacks highlighted the three pillars that are crucial to the U.S. winning the AI race: innovation, infrastructure, and a sustainable AI ecosystem. He added that the government needs to "let the industry cook" and drive innovation for the nation to stay ahead in AI development.

The announcement follows President Trump's earlier executive order on January 23, 2025, titled "Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence," which aimed to enhance U.S. leadership in AI by revoking certain policies and establishing a plan to promote AI development.

The White House is expected to release the full AI action plan in the coming days, providing a detailed roadmap for the administration's approach to artificial intelligence.

This comprehensive strategy underscores the administration's commitment to maintaining U.S. leadership in AI, balancing economic growth with national security considerations, and navigating the complex interplay between innovation and regulation.