Donald Trump’s ambitious push for rapid construction of AI data centers in America has hit major stumbling blocks. Bloomberg reports that almost half of this year’s planned US data center projects are delayed or canceled due to a lack of essential components like transformers and batteries, which China has traditionally supplied.
The lag is dramatic. Parts used to take 24-30 months; now, they can wait up to five years. This delay could be crucial as the AI race sees China only about five years behind America.
Despite his tariffs on Chinese imports, Trump’s preference for US manufacturing is unmet. Currently, American factories cannot keep pace with demand.
Analysts from Sightline Climate note that only a third of the largest AI data centers scheduled to come online in 2026 are under construction. Companies are increasingly willing to overlook national security risks and pay tariffs to expedite delivery times from China. But even Trump can’t ignore the harsh reality: it’s pointless building power if there’s nowhere for it to plug in.
