Microsoft and Nvidia take a cool approach for Trump

Last week on Friday afternoon, Chipmaker Navidia chief executive Jensen Huang slipped to the White House for the first time to meet President Trump. There was no fanfare, and he left both without a single public photo.

Two weeks ago, Microsoft’s chief executive, Satya Nadella had a long lunch with Mr. Trump at his Mar-e-Lago Estate in Florida. He dined with a little disturbance and made barely news.

Neither the executives joined their big technical contemporaries, who stood behind Shri Trump at the time of their inauguration. Instead, both were completely on different continents: Sri Nadella Davos was traveling to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, while Mr. Huang Taiwan and a trip to see suppliers and employees in China.

The absence at the inauguration of the main officials of two of the two most valuable companies in the world was probably the most visual indication that some companies were trying a low important approach as Mr. Trump returned to Washington, even some colleagues by some colleagues Also looked at the furious demonstrations. Grievance.

For companies such as Microsoft and NVIDIA, who unlike their many colleagues, do not offend Sri Trump, “this is almost as business,”, now a former Microsoft Executive S. in the Madron Venture Group. Somser said, who speaks regularly with Shri. Nadella

While Microsoft and Nvidia share a cool approach to Sri Trump, their footprints in Washington are polar opposite. Microsoft, on the CUSP of his 50th anniversary and over two decades ago, he is the most difficult player of the school, of course with a strong lobbying arm and authorities on policy issues, who are with a strong lobbying arm and authorities on policy issues, who have both political parties Has nurtured contacts.

On the other hand, Nvidia is a crook in Washington. Its profile has grown rapidly over the years, thanks to its heavy control of special chips, which other technical companies need to create a Big AI system.

There are more bets for both companies. The new administration will have to finalize the rules about the sale of NVIDIA chips and the creation of Microsoft data centers abroad. Microsoft too There is an array of other concernsThe regulation of the AI ​​system, including cyber security and power data centers demand electricity. After the development of a success by the Startup Deepsek, Nvidia also faces a risk that the administration can carry forward the sale of its chips for China.

Kevin Maden, a senior partner of Penta, said, “Everyone has to come to the table, and they will do it in different ways, because as it is said, if you are not on the table, you are on the menu, “Kavin Maden, a senior partner of Penta, said. The group, a global strategy firm, and a former senior strategist on the 2012 presidential campaign of Mit Romney.

His quiet strategies were displayed around the opening. Microsoft President Brad Smith attended a reception for cabinet members organized by Vice President JD Vance. A week later, Mr. Smith and Mr. Nadella went to a black-tie dinner, hosted by Alfalfa Club and the cabinet nominated Howard Lutnik, Linda McMahon and Dag Bergam, former Governor of North Dakota and Mr. Nadella attended . Old patron in Microsoft. NVIDIA Vice President of Foreign Affairs, NED Finkle, and NVIDIA policy employees also attended the opening ceremony.

Like other technical companies, Microsoft donated $ 1 million to Mr. Trump’s opening fund, but did so after his companions. It first gave $ 500,000 to the inaugural fund for Trump administration, as well as Biden opening in 2021. (Nvidia did not donate to the inaugural fund.)

When Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, Lauren Schez, Lauren Schez dancing in a much awaited journey for Mar-e-Lago in mid-December, the Instagram Post made it a gossip page.

Microsoft leaders met Mr. Trump’s employees, cabinet appointments and technology advisors before Mr. Nadella, the person said. When he reached Mar-e-Lago, he knew the priorities and concerns of Mr. Trump.

He talked about security and investment in infrastructure, and when Mr. Trump expressed concern about the security of nuclear power – who is gaining popularity as an electric supplier for data centers – Mr. Nadella, Shri Nadeli, Shri Smith and Elon Musk, who joined lunch tried to assimilate their fear, according to a person with knowledge of conversation.

Shri Huang of NVIDIA left Mar-e-Lago and waited about two weeks after the inauguration to visit the administration.

By the time he reached Washington this month, it became clear that the Trump administration could be a threat to NVidia’s business. Mr. Lutynik, a rich donor of Mr. Trump, who was selected to lead the Commerce Department, told the Congress during his nomination hearing that he feels that American technical companies, including Nvidia, “need to help China Is”.

“If they are going to compete with us, let them compete, but stop using our equipment to compete with us,” he said.

The comments broke Nvidia’s expectations that Mr. Trump could enter a lighter regulatory environment compared to his predecessor. President Joseph R. Under the Biden Junior, the United States curbs the sale of NVidia Chips to China and shadow the sale of its AI chips in more than 100 other countries. The expansion and enforcement of those rules come to the Trump administration.

During the afternoon meeting of Shri Huang, with Mr. Trump, first, Mr. Huang talked about the AI ​​policy and semiconductor. but later, Mr. Trump told reporters He could not say whether he would impose more restrictions on Chip selling NVidia to China. He said that “it was a good meeting,” the administration still planned to put tariffs on the chips made abroad, which would cut Nvidia’s profits as its chips have been made in Taiwan.

“He is a great gentleman,” Mr. Trump said about Mr. Huang. “He is the largest in the world in terms of chips.”

Mr. Finkle refused to discuss the meeting. In an interview with The New York Times, he said, “Things have become good, but I cannot say more than that.”

In front of the pressure of the White House, Nvidia is increasing the appearance of its Washington. This week, the company, which opened its first office last year, was brought to Stewart Barber, an executive officer of a Republican Government Affairs, who had previously worked as an advisor to Ivanka Trump, said that two familiar People who sought oblivion for discussion. Personnel.

The company has applied to become a member of the Information Technology Industry Council, a policy group that represents most of the major technical companies. It has also hired American global strategies, which Robert C. There is a geopolitical advisory group led by O’Brien, who served as the National Security Advisor of the White House for two years under Sri Trump.

The belts of Nvidia in Washington can also be attributed to an recognition that its new prominence demanded it to be more busy. Over a year, NVIDIA’s market price has become $ 2 trillion, one of the three most valuable public companies in the world, with Microsoft and Apple.

“This actually shows his maturity and recognition,” said Dean Garfield, former senior vice -president of the policy at Netflix. They take steps. ,