Microsoft (MSFT) is reportedly lobbying U.S. President Donald Trump to allow Chinese technology and components in artificial intelligence (A.I.) data centres.
The Trump administration currently bans the import of most Chinese technology, including much of what goes into running energy-intensive A.I. data centres.
But Microsoft is reportedly lobbying for the Trump administration to allow Chinese optical transceivers that enable data to travel over fibre-optic cables at the speed of light in data centres.
The lobbying comes amid concerns that the transceivers could be used by China to steal data, install malware, or disrupt service at U.S. data centres.
Microsoft has 35 A.I. data centres under construction in the U.S. and another 134 planned, according to the company.
It is one of a group of technology companies making the case to the Trump administration that Chinese technology is needed for the U.S. to maintain its global lead in A.I.
Microsoft has met with officials from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Security Council to make its case for allowing use of the Chinese transceivers.
The lobbying efforts come amid a growing backlash to the construction of A.I. data centres, with the Democrats who now control the U.S. Congress threatening a moratorium on them.
It also comes with Nvidia (NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang mired in a scandal after he had an affair with a woman who is alleged to be a Chinese spy and passed sensitive information to Beijing.
The Trump administration has been considering banning Chinese optical transceivers capable of handling 3.2 terabits of data per second.
MSFT stock has gained 8% over the last 12 months to trade at $545.18 U.S. per share.
