In an exclusive interview with CNBC, Trump characterized AI and crypto as strategic sectors crucial for shaping global economic and technological dominance in the future.
“My perspective on AI and crypto is that if we don’t take the lead, China will,” he stated.
Trump noted that the US currently excels in both fields and stressed that preserving this edge should be a national priority. He described artificial intelligence as a technology with potentially greater long-term significance than the internet, claiming that the nation which excels in the AI sector will achieve a critical competitive advantage.
While advocating for innovation, Trump remarked that governments should implement only minimal regulations, intervening promptly when real risks arise rather than imposing sweeping restrictions on the industry.
“You need some guardrails, but you want to do as little as possible.”
The President also supported his family’s involvement in cryptocurrency following revelations of substantial income from crypto-related ventures. Trump asserted that there was nothing inappropriate about these investments and clarified that he does not directly manage his financial assets while in office.
He addressed reports regarding his indirect ownership in Nvidia, explaining that any affiliation with the chip manufacturer was through investment firms managing his portfolio, not direct investment choices.
Trump noted that his endorsement of crypto goes beyond mere financial interests, claiming that digital assets have emerged as an essential strategic industry and that the US must not relinquish its leadership to geopolitical opponents.
