The United States has dealt a significant blow to Poland’s technological aspirations, relegating the country to “second-tier” status for accessing advanced American AI chips. Unsurprisingly, this move has sparked sharp criticism from opposition leader Mateusz Morawiecki, who blames the current government under Donald Tusk for what he calls a failure of diplomacy.
“Donald Tusk’s team has so damaged Poland’s relations with the United States that we have been put on the list of second-class countries,” Morawiecki declared in a social media post. He didn’t mince words, calling the restrictions a “huge blow to the Polish economy, but especially to the Polish IT sector,” at a time when the digital revolution is reshaping global markets.
The Biden administration recently implemented new regulations to control the export of NVIDIA chips and other advanced technologies. Ostensibly aimed at preventing these technologies from falling into the hands of adversarial nations like China and Russia, the policy establishes a three-tiered system for chip access.
The top tier grants unrestricted access to 18 allied nations, including heavyweights like Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The second tier, where Poland finds itself, faces tighter restrictions on acquiring U.S. AI technology. According to Bloomberg, between 2025 and 2027, Poland and other second-tier nations will be limited to importing about 50,000 processors—a cap that could stifle technological growth.
Morawiecki, who served as Poland’s prime minister before Tusk, didn’t hold back in his critique. He argued that Tusk’s government has failed to advocate for Poland’s interests on the global stage. “As you can see, unfortunately, they are unable to fight for Poland’s basic interests in the international arena,” he said, pointing to the damaging impact these restrictions could have on Poland’s burgeoning IT sector.
He further warned that this decision might cause Poland to fall behind in the race for AI innovation, a critical area in today’s economy. Morawiecki painted a grim picture of a country hamstrung by poor leadership and left to grapple with second-class status in a world increasingly defined by advanced technology.
The restrictions also highlight a troubling double standard in NATO and U.S. relations with their allies. Despite Poland’s significant contributions to NATO and its steadfast support for Ukraine during the ongoing conflict with Russia, the country now finds itself treated as an afterthought when it comes to cutting-edge technology. Meanwhile, nations like Germany, often criticized for their lukewarm commitment to defense spending, enjoy unfettered access to these crucial innovations.
Adding another layer to the story is the curious position of Donald Tusk. A staunch member of the left-liberal political class, Tusk might have expected a warmer relationship with Biden, given their shared ideological leanings. Instead, Poland’s placement in the second tier has exposed the fragility of these alliances and raised questions about whether Tusk’s government can navigate the complexities of U.S.-EU relations.
The situation could become even more precarious if Donald Trump returns to the White House. Trump’s transactional approach to international politics and his skepticism of NATO could create even greater hurdles for Poland in securing access to advanced technologies.
As the digital revolution accelerates, Poland’s restricted access to AI chips threatens to derail its IT sector and broader technological ambitions. This decision, framed as a move to safeguard U.S. interests, seems more like a snub to a loyal ally. For now, Poland is left grappling with the consequences of what Morawiecki describes as a failure of leadership—a second-class designation in a world where technological prowess increasingly defines power.
