$1.5 Billion Revenue Drop: AMD Warns of Q2 and Q3 Slowdown Amid U.S.-China Chip Restrictions

AMD warns of a $1.5 billion revenue decline in 2025 following U.S. restrictions on advanced AI chip exports to China.

Introduction

AMD, a leading semiconductor manufacturer, has projected a revenue decline of $1.5 billion in 2025 due to escalating U.S. export restrictions on advanced AI chips to China.

The company anticipates the impact to hit hardest in the second and third quarters, affecting its key Chinese customer base.

As the global semiconductor market navigates increasing geopolitical tensions, AMD’s outlook highlights the challenges faced by U.S. chipmakers in balancing domestic and international markets.

techovedas.com/us-senator-proposes-chip-security-act-to-track-ai-chip-locations

Brief Overview: Key Takeaways

Revenue Forecast: AMD expects a $1.5 billion revenue decline in 2025 due to U.S. export restrictions.

Targeted Markets: The restrictions primarily affect AI chips destined for Chinese tech firms.

Timeline: The financial impact will likely be felt in Q2 and Q3.

Mitigation Strategy: AMD aims to leverage U.S. AI market demand to offset losses.

Competitive Pressure: Intel and Nvidia are also ramping up sales efforts in the U.S. AI chip market.

Follow us on Linkedin for everything around Semiconductors & AI

Impact of U.S. Export Restrictions on AMD

The U.S. Commerce Department has tightened export controls on advanced AI chips to China, citing national security concerns.

This move directly impacts AMD, whose AI chip sales to Chinese tech firms represent a substantial portion of its overall revenue.

According to LSEG data, AMD’s projected 2025 revenue of $31.03 billion could drop by approximately 5%, largely due to the reduced Chinese market share.

The anticipated $1.5 billion loss reflects AMD’s reliance on the Chinese market, which accounted for nearly 25% of its 2024 sales.

Metric2024 (Actual)2025 (Projected)Change
Total Revenue$29.85 billion$31.03 billion+4%
Chinese Sales$7.46 billion$5.96 billion-20%
U.S. Sales$12.58 billion$14.04 billion+12%
Projected Revenue Loss$1.5 billion-5%

CEO Comments: Managing the Revenue Decline

Lisa Su, AMD’s CEO, addressed the financial outlook during the company’s quarterly earnings call. She acknowledged the $1.5 billion revenue decline but emphasized AMD’s ability to manage the impact by capitalizing on the rising demand for AI chips in the U.S.

“It’s a headwind, but one we believe is manageable given our growth in domestic AI sales,” Su stated.

Su also noted that the impact will likely peak in Q2 and Q3, as Chinese companies reduce chip orders to comply with the U.S. export restrictions.

techovedas.com/where-is-chinas-semiconductor-industry-amidst-us-export-controls

Short-Term Sales Surge: A Temporary Boost?

Despite the projected revenue loss, analysts predict a short-term surge in AMD’s sales as Chinese firms rush to secure chip orders before the new restrictions fully take effect.

Michael Schulman, CIO at Running Point Capital, suggests that major Chinese tech companies are front-loading orders to avoid potential disruptions.

“We’re likely to see a temporary sales boost as Chinese buyers try to beat the deadline,” Schulman said.

However, this surge may only provide a brief reprieve, with a more pronounced revenue decline expected in the latter half of 2025.

techovedas.com/amd-ceo-lisu-su-roadmap-for-u-s-ai-leadership-5-key-strategies-for-success

Strategic Shifts: Capitalizing on U.S. AI Market

While AMD grapples with reduced Chinese sales, the company is shifting its focus to the booming U.S. AI market. Key clients like Microsoft and Meta Platforms are ramping up investments in AI infrastructure, creating substantial opportunities for advanced chip sales.

However, the competition is fierce. Nvidia and Intel are also vying for dominance in the AI chip market, potentially undercutting AMD’s growth prospects.

CompanyAI Chip Sales (2024)AI Chip Sales Forecast (2025)Market Share (2025)
Nvidia$16.5 billion$19.2 billion38%
Intel$10.8 billion$12.4 billion24%
AMD$7.3 billion$8.1 billion16%

Conclusion: Navigating a Complex Market

AMD’s $1.5 billion revenue decline forecast underscores the significant impact of U.S.-China trade tensions on the global semiconductor industry.

While the loss of the Chinese market presents a formidable challenge, the U.S. AI boom offers a potential lifeline.

For AMD, the key to offsetting losses will be effectively capitalizing on domestic demand while navigating increased competition from Nvidia and Intel.

As the U.S. government continues to tighten export controls, the ability to adapt swiftly will be crucial for AMD’s financial stability in 2025.

As the Semiconductor Investment Game goes dicey, trust @Techovedas for any Semiconductor Hassles!

Kumar Priyadarshi
Kumar Priyadarshi

Kumar Joined IISER Pune after qualifying IIT-JEE in 2012. In his 5th year, he travelled to Singapore for his master’s thesis which yielded a Research Paper in ACS Nano. Kumar Joined Global Foundries as a process Engineer in Singapore working at 40 nm Process node. Working as a scientist at IIT Bombay as Senior Scientist, Kumar Led the team which built India’s 1st Memory Chip with Semiconductor Lab (SCL).

Articles: 2965

For Semiconductor SAGA : Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, an industry insider, or just curious, this book breaks down complex concepts into simple, engaging terms that anyone can understand.The Semiconductor Saga is more than just educational—it’s downright thrilling!

For Chip Packaging : This Book is designed as an introductory guide tailored to policymakers, investors, companies, and students—key stakeholders who play a vital role in the growth and evolution of this fascinating field.