WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. officials are considering new measures to block China's DeepSeek from acquiring American technology, according to a New York Times report, as tensions rise over the rapid advancement of Chinese artificial intelligence models.

The Trump administration is also debating whether to restrict U.S. citizens from accessing DeepSeek's services, the paper said, as Washington intensifies efforts to curb China's AI development.

DeepSeek, a Chinese start-up offering low-cost AI models, has drawn attention within the tech sector and prompted concern among U.S. regulators. The administration is reportedly targeting its ties to American chipmaker Nvidia, whose AI chips have become central to global competition in the sector.

Nvidia, which has long supplied advanced semiconductors used to train and run AI models, has been at the heart of U.S. export control efforts. In 2022, Washington banned the sale of Nvidia's most advanced chips to China, citing national security concerns.

Last week, the Trump administration moved to further restrict exports of Nvidia's H20 chip, a move that the company says could result in a US$5.5 billion revenue hit.

The House Select Committee on China said in a report that it has sent a formal letter to Nvidia, pressing for answers about how its chips may have powered DeepSeek's models despite the restrictions.

The U.S. fears that cutting-edge AI technologies could be used to strengthen China's military and surveillance capabilities. Limiting access to those tools is seen as key to maintaining a technological edge.

Neither DeepSeek nor representatives from the White House or U.S. Commerce Department responded to Reuters' requests for comment.

DeepSeek's scrutiny is part of a broader U.S. effort to reduce the flow of sensitive technologies to Chinese firms amid escalating geopolitical and economic tensions.