President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday launching a federal initiative aimed at expanding the global reach of American artificial intelligence technology and preserving U.S. dominance in the sector.
The EO establishes the American AI Exports Program, a Commerce Department-led effort to support the international deployment of “full-stack” AI technology packages. These include everything from AI-optimized chips and cloud infrastructure to models, software and cybersecurity tools. U.S. companies will be invited to submit proposals outlining their export plans, target countries and business models, along with requests for federal incentives.
“The United States must not only lead in developing general-purpose and frontier AI capabilities, but also ensure that American AI technologies, standards, and governance models are adopted worldwide to strengthen relationships with our allies and secure our continued technological dominance,” according to the EO.
Industry consortia whose proposals are selected will be designated as “priority AI export packages” and granted access to a range of federal tools. Those include direct loans, equity investments, credit guarantees and feasibility studies, coordinated through the State Department’s Economic Diplomacy Action Group.
The EO also tasks the State Department with leading a unified federal strategy to promote American AI abroad, coordinate participation in multilateral initiatives and help partner nations develop regulatory and infrastructure environments favorable to U.S. technologies.
The initiative is framed as a response to rising competition in AI, particularly from U.S. adversaries. The policy explicitly aims to reduce global reliance on foreign AI systems and strengthen alliances through U.S.-led tech deployments.
Commerce has 90 days to issue a public call for proposals. Selected projects will be evaluated in coordination with the departments of State, Defense and Energy, as well as the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
The EO does not create any new legal rights and must be implemented within the bounds of existing law and available appropriations.
