US AI Data Center Buildout Slows Sharply Amid Equipment Shortages, Chinese Import Dependence

• US AI data center expansion faces significant slowdown due to critical equipment shortages.
• Nearly half of planned US data center projects for 2026 are at risk of delay or cancellation.
• Shortages of transformers, switchgear, and power regulators are key bottlenecks, exacerbated by broader electrification trends.
• Domestic manufacturing cannot meet demand, forcing heavy reliance on Chinese imports, creating supply chain dependency.
• The slowdown highlights how AI dominance depends on industrial capacity and supply chain resilience, not just software innovation.