VIRGINIA — AI-related trade in the United States rose by two-thirds in 2025, totaling an estimated $220 billion, driven by surging demand for data center equipment. Shipments of chips, servers, and networking equipment needed to build data centers increased by almost 40% that same year, according to research from the McKinsey Global Institute.

AI-related equipment shipments accounted for a third of global trade growth in 2025. The United States accounted for approximately half of new data-center capacity added worldwide during the year.

Data centers rely on a globally dispersed supply chain. Facilities in Virginia may use American-designed semiconductors and large language models, chips fabricated in Taiwan, extreme-ultraviolet lithography machines made in the Netherlands, Korean memory chips, and components packaged or tested in Southeast Asia. Additional inputs include Mexican turbines and Chilean copper used to power these facilities.

High-performance memory chips, almost exclusively produced in South Korea, experienced a shortage in 2025. U.S.-based firms account for most global semiconductor sales and hold leading positions in research, design, and process technology. To strengthen domestic capabilities, the U.S. is implementing the 2022 CHIPS Act and other initiatives to increase production along the semiconductor supply chain.

Taiwan’s TSMC and South Korea’s Samsung are investing tens of billions in U.S.-based production. Meanwhile, the U.S. has tightened controls on exports to China of advanced semiconductors, high-bandwidth memory, and chipmaking tools. China has responded by restricting exports of rare earths and related items.

Data centers require not only chips and servers but also nuts and bolts, air conditioning units, generators, cement, lightbulbs, and coffee cups for workers. Strong trade relationships with ASEAN and Mexico support the supply of mid-tier components. Foreign capital also funds important U.S. assets such as semiconductor labs and data centers.

U.S. multinationals may train AI models hosted in data centers built by American tech giants to serve global clients.