AMD CEO Lisa Su recently said that China remains a “large opportunity” for the semiconductor and AI industry. Speaking at CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” after the chip maker’s first-quarter results, Su stressed on the need for a balance between national security measures and adoption of technology. The comments come as the U.S. government tightens restrictions on selling advanced AI chips to China, worried they could boost military capabilities.
She said “There should be a balance between export controls for national security as well as ensuring that we get the widest possible adoption of our technology”, adding “That’s a good thing for U.S. jobs in the U.S. economy.”
Su added that U.S. leadership in AI and expanding its reach globally is a top priority for the company. While acknowledging the risks, she said China’s market remains important for AMD’s growth. AMD has already warned of a major hit to revenue due to U.S. curbs on advanced AI chips, especially related to its MI308 chips.
AMD CEO on Trump’s tariffs
During the interaction, Su also stated that while AMD would prefer “a more certain environment,” the company has adapted to supply chain challenges by moving more manufacturing to the U.S. She called the impact of tariffs a “minor blip” and noted that April sales were “robust.”
“We’ve learned to become very agile through all of the things that have happened to the semiconductor supply chain, and we’re going to continue to watch all of these trends very carefully and make sure that we react appropriately going forward,” she said.