---
title: "China's Chip Exports Double To $31 Billion As US Restrictions Fuel AI Demand"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/287335903.md"
description: "China's semiconductor exports doubled to a record $31 billion in April, driven by surging AI demand and U.S. export restrictions. This marks a 100% year-over-year increase and a tripling over the past two years. Sales of laptops and tablets also rose significantly. Major Chinese chipmakers are ramping up production of advanced semiconductors to meet this demand, as U.S. curbs push them to seek local alternatives."
datetime: "2026-05-22T08:42:57.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/287335903.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/287335903.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/287335903.md)
generator: "portal-rs"
---

# China's Chip Exports Double To $31 Billion As US Restrictions Fuel AI Demand

China’s AI chip market is growing rapidly, with chip exports doubling last month, amid U.S. export curbs.

## **China Chip Export Surge**

According to an X post by **The Kobeissi Letter** on Sunday, China's chip exports surged 100% year-over-year to a record $31 billion in April. This has tripled over the past two years. 

Overseas sales of laptops, tablets, and their components spiked 47% from the year-ago month.

Overall, Chinese exports rose 14% year-over-year to $359 billion in April, representing the highest monthly reading on record, per the letter. With this, "Chinese companies were generating ~$500 million in export revenue every hour on average last month," the letter stated.

> China's chip exports are surging:  
>   
> China's chip exports jumped +100% YoY in April, to a record ~$31 billion.  
>   
> This figure has TRIPLED over the last 2 years.  
>   
> At the same time, overseas sales of laptops, tablets, and their components jumped +47% YoY.  
>   
> Goldman Sachs and Nomura… pic.twitter.com/6eRrC0TW24
> 
> — The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) May 21, 2026

Goldman Sachs and Nomura estimated that semiconductors, computers, and other AI-related products accounted for half of China’s export growth last month, according to the market commentary.

 **Read Also: Nvidia Is Going To Have To Do An Apple On Dividends, Says Jim Cramer: Sounds 'Boring' But It Works** 

## **U.S. Export Curbs, AI Demand Surge**

China's leading chipmakers are scaling production of advanced semiconductors amid the U.S. export curbs, along with growing AI demand and supply shortages.

Companies such as **Semiconductor Manufacturing International Co.** (SMIC), **Hua Hong Semiconductor**, and many **Huawei**-linked chipmakers are either expanding or planning to start the production of chips using the most advanced technology available in China. 

According to Paul Triolo of **Albright Stonebridge Group**, the U.S. restrictions have added “rocket fuel” to demand, while export curbs on **Nvidia Corp.** (NASDAQ:NVDA) chips are pushing China to adopt local alternatives. This has enabled companies like Huawei and **Moore Threads** to step in and fill the gap, even as they trail U.S. performance.

China's leading semiconductor firms called in March for a nationwide effort to create a homegrown alternative to **ASML Holding N.V.** (NASDAQ:ASML), the dominant supplier of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology.

 **Read Also: Nikki Haley Says If China Controls Taiwan, The Communist Party Gains Leverage Over World's Critical Supply Chain: 'Threat To Global Freedom'** 

*Photo courtesy: Shutterstock*

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---
> **Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.**