Huawei, the Chinese tech giant, has recently launched a new laptop equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, causing a stir among American lawmakers. The company is currently on the US trade restriction list due to allegations of having ties with Iran and violating trade sanctions in 2019. The US government has been campaigning to limit China's progress in developing telecommunication technology, making it difficult for American vendors and suppliers to deal with companies on the restriction list.

The Trump administration granted Intel a license to supply central processors to Huawei for laptop manufacturing in 2020. However, skeptics have been pressuring the Biden administration to revoke this license, despite the fact that it will expire this year, and renewal is unlikely.

The launch of Huawei's AI-powered laptop, the Matebook X Pro, has raised concerns among American lawmakers, who believe that the approval of the Commerce Department has enabled Huawei to access the latest US technology in the form of new silicon chips. Elise Stefanik, a Republican Representative, expressed her concerns on the X platform, stating that the laptop's approval is a threat to US national security.

The Commerce Department has yet to provide clarification on the matter. Michael McCaul, another Republican representative, has also expressed his concerns, stating that the approvals must stop and that the policy towards Huawei has not changed since 2022.

Americans have mixed feelings about AI technology, with 37% of adults expressing concern compared to only 18% who are excited. Many Americans are also wary of driverless passenger cars, social media companies using AI to detect disinformation, and facial recognition technology used by police.

The animosity towards Huawei is rooted in the US desire to limit China's emerging position as a global player and restrict its advancements in the technological field. The US has taken recent steps to limit China's access to the latest silicon chips, restricting vendors like Nvidia from dealing with Chinese firms and pressuring companies and investors worldwide to avoid participating in Chinese AI ventures.

The UAE-based G42 investments group has recently backed off from its commitments with Chinese firms, receiving applause from the US. The launch of Huawei's AI-powered laptop has added fuel to the ongoing campaign to limit China's progress in the technological field.