U.S. Greenlights Nvidia’s H200 Chip Exports to China Amid Strategic Trade Shifts
In a significant policy shift, the U.S. Department of Commerce has authorized Nvidia to export its advanced H200 artificial intelligence (AI) chips to China. This decision, initially reported by Semafor, permits shipments to approved Chinese customers, with the U.S. government securing a 25% share of the sales revenue.
The H200 chips represent a substantial technological leap over the H20 models previously tailored for the Chinese market. However, the export approval is limited to H200 units that are approximately 18 months old, as per Semafor’s report. This stipulation aims to balance commercial interests with national security considerations.
An Nvidia spokesperson expressed support for the administration’s decision, stating, We applaud President Trump’s decision to allow America’s chip industry to compete to support high-paying jobs and manufacturing in America. Offering H200 to approved commercial customers, vetted by the Department of Commerce, strikes a thoughtful balance that is great for America.
This development follows a period of fluctuating U.S. policies regarding AI chip exports to China. In April 2025, the Trump administration imposed licensing requirements on companies like Nvidia for exporting certain AI chips to China. By May, these restrictions were lifted, and by August, the government indicated that companies could resume exports, provided the U.S. received a 15% cut of the revenue.
Despite the administration’s approval, concerns persist within Congress about the national security implications of exporting advanced AI technology to China. On December 4, Senators Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska) and Chris Coons (D-Delaware) introduced the Secure and Feasible Exports Act (SAFE Chips Act), proposing a 30-month moratorium on such exports. The timing of legislative action on this bill remains uncertain, especially in light of the recent policy reversal.
The decision to permit H200 exports underscores the complex interplay between economic interests and national security. While the administration aims to bolster the U.S. semiconductor industry’s global competitiveness, lawmakers and security experts caution against potential risks associated with transferring advanced technologies to strategic competitors.
