미국 하이퍼스케일러들은 중국이 핵심 제조 부품을 장악하고 있어 공급망 병목 현상에 직면한 가운데, 수십억 달러 규모의 AI 데이터센터 건설을 놓고 경쟁하고 있다.

The largest American technology companies are committing capital expenditures that would rival sovereign wealth funds. Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta have collectively pledged more than $650 billion toward data center expansion in 2026, with some analyst projections estimating the total closer to $750 billion. A critical complication remains, however: a substantial portion of the hardware required to operate these facilities originates in China.

The United States is attempting to outpace China in artificial intelligence development while simultaneously relying on Chinese manufacturers to provide the electrical infrastructure that makes modern data centers viable. Chinese firms currently supply approximately 30 percent of U.S. transformers and switchgear, more than 40 percent of batteries used in data center operations, and roughly two-thirds of global optical transceiver units. Consequently, the U.S. faces an estimated 15 percent shortfall in power transformers and an 8 percent deficit in substations projected for 2026. These shortages represent a systemic bottleneck rather than a minor inconvenience. Power transformers form the backbone of electrical distribution, and without adequate supply, data centers cannot connect to the grid at the scale hyperscalers require.

To contextualize the energy demands involved, a major facility linked to OpenAI is projected to consume 1.2 gigawatts upon its completion in 2026. That capacity matches the output of a nuclear power plant, dedicated entirely to a single data center campus.

Washington is reportedly considering a ban on Chinese optical transceiver imports, with implementation targeted for late 2026. Industry analysts caution that such a restriction could significantly inflate costs and disrupt AI infrastructure deployment across the sector. While domestic alternatives exist, they carry higher price tags and lack the manufacturing scale necessary to bridge the supply gap immediately. The situation presents a stark irony: U.S. export controls already restrict advanced AI chips from reaching China, prompting Chinese firms to develop indigenous alternatives. Now, the United States finds itself dependent on Chinese electrical components to construct the very data centers that will train the AI models those export restrictions were designed to safeguard.

Research firms including Counterpoint and Wood Mackenzie have highlighted concerns that rising operational costs driven by imported materials could compress profit margins for the technology giants funding AI infrastructure buildouts. Should import restrictions take effect, hyperscalers will likely be compelled to adopt costlier domestic alternatives. This shift would accelerate investment in U.S. manufacturing but strain corporate finances in the near term. The transition period—the interval between severing reliance on Chinese supply chains and fully scaling domestic production—represents the most vulnerable window for American AI ambitions.

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