In a surprising move just before his exit from office, President Joe Biden has imposed new restrictions on the export of graphics processors to Israel. This decision categorizes Israel alongside nations facing stricter import regulations for chips produced by major companies such as Nvidia, Intel, and AMD.
Nvidia has been particularly vocal in its criticism of the new export rules, warning that this could jeopardize global innovation. The chipmaker stated, "Global progress is now in danger."
Recent regulations have classified Israel in a category that enforces restrictions on the import of graphics processors from companies like Nvidia, Intel, and AMD. This is noteworthy given that some of these companies actually design their graphics processors in Israel.
The primary aim of these restrictions is to prevent the unauthorized distribution of advanced chip technology worldwide, particularly to nations such as China and Russia, even via neutral countries or U.S. allies.
Biden decided not to include Israel in the list of 18 countries exempt from this approval process, besides the US: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, France, French Guinea, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.