Startup founders urge Trump not to shut off Chinese open weight AI
Nearly 200 Silicon Valley startups have formed the Little Tech Association to lobby the Trump administration against banning access to Chinese open-weight AI models. They argue that such restrictions would cripple American innovation and that targeted safeguards are a more effective approach.
Why it matters
This represents a significant pushback from the tech industry against potential protectionist AI policies that could impact global research and development.
President Donald Trump with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as he speaks at a press conference during the G7 Leaders' Summit. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Almost 200 companies are urging the Trump administration not to cut off access to Chinese open-weight AI models. The companies say cutting off access risks crippling the next generation of U.S. startups. The newly-formed Little Tech Association sent letters to the administration with its appeal on Wednesday. Almost 200 Silicon Valley companies, including Proton and Y Combinator, are urging the Trump administration not to cut off access to Chinese open-weight artificial intelligence models or risk crippling the next generation of U.S. startups.
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