Senator Elizabeth Warren has called for tougher restrictions on Chinese technology, urging President Donald Trump's nominee for a key trade role to reinforce AI chip controls.

In a letter to Jeffrey Kessler, the nominee for the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, Warren cited concerns over Chinese startup DeepSeek and its AI advancements. She argued for tighter enforcement of export restrictions and measures to curb chip smuggling.

Chinese firms like Huawei and SMIC, already on the US Entity List, continue to acquire American technology through front companies, Warren warned.

She pressed Kessler to address this issue and determine whether these companies violated US laws by producing advanced chips using American technology. Strengthened controls on ChangXin Memory Technology and high-powered inference chips, such as Nvidia's H20, were also among her recommendations.

Kessler, who previously served as the Commerce Department's top trade enforcement official, acknowledged China's progress in cutting-edge technology. His confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee is set to examine how the US can maintain its technological edge while enforcing export restrictions effectively.

The debate comes amid ongoing tensions over AI and semiconductor technology between Washington and Beijing.