Mark Brzezinski, U.S. ambassador to Poland, was asked to explain the decision just before he left his post on Monday, the Polish ministry for economic development said in e-mailed remarks shared with POLITICO. Deputy Minister Michał Baranowski will also raise the issue during a trip to the U.S. this week.
The row reveals how European allies can easily become collateral damage to U.S. efforts to contain China’s technological advances. Presidents Biden and Donald Trump have both ratcheted up efforts to choke off China’s access to high-tech products such as advanced chips, at times to the detriment of European companies.
Last Monday, the U.S. announced that only 18 allied countries, including 10 EU countries, could continue to buy AI chips without restrictions. Europe relies heavily for these on U.S.-based companies, such as the world’s leading chip designer, Nvidia. Poland is not part of that group of 18 and now faces caps on how many AI chips it can buy.
The U.S. move was met with “deep surprise,” Paszyk wrote. “The omission of Poland among the 18 key allies and partners is a decision that I find incomprehensible.”
The Polish government is concerned about the cap’s impact on the country’s technological sector and military expansion. “Poland has been investing in the development of the high-tech sector for years, and possible restrictions may adversely affect the pace and scope of this process,” the economic development ministry wrote.
Poland’s military build-up could be hit because it is developing AI systems that could help monitor and respond to enemy threats. The ministry said the introduction of U.S. export restrictions could limit the opportunities to develop these systems further.
