The Trump administration is reportedly drafting a ban on US imports of new Chinese-made datacentre components, according to Reuters sources, as officials seek to counter China's rapid progress in artificial intelligence. The measure, being developed by the Federal Communications Commission, would target Chinese optical transceivers, devices used to move data at high speed through fibre-optic cables inside datacentres, and reflects growing US concern about relying on Chinese hardware in critical AI infrastructure.

Four people familiar with the matter said the FCC hopes to publish the restriction this year, though it could still be altered or dropped. Chinese firms dominate the global optical transceiver market, and experts warn such components could theoretically be used to steal data, install malware or disrupt US services if embedded in domestic networks. The move follows a similar FCC ban on Chinese humanoid robots last month, and would likely affect Zhongji Innolight, a major transceiver supplier added to the Pentagon's list of alleged Chinese military-linked companies in June. China's Washington embassy said Beijing would respond with "necessary measures" against any action harming its interests.