Nvidia in Talks with Trump Admin on China-Tailored B30A Chip

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated during a recent trip to Taiwan that the company is in active discussions with the Trump administration regarding the potential development of a new semiconductor tailored for China [1]. This proposed chip, potentially named B30A, is expected to be a less-powerful version of Nvidia’s Blackwell architecture, operating at about half the speed of its B300 counterpart. It would be designed for AI data centers in China, serving as a successor to the H20 chip, which is currently the most advanced chip approved for sale in the country under U.S. restrictions [2].

Huang emphasized that while the company is preparing such a product, the final decision on its approval rests with the U.S. government. “That’s not our decision to make. It’s up to, of course, the United States government,” he said [3]. The H20, a GPU intended to meet Chinese demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure, was suspended in April but recently regained approval following lobbying efforts by Huang. The resumption of H20 sales came with a 15% tax on those transactions, a policy also applied to Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) for its MI380 sales [4].

Huang further addressed concerns over potential security risks associated with the H20, stating that the chip contains no backdoors and that the company has provided assurances to both the U.S. and Chinese governments [5]. The Cyberspace Administration of China had previously raised allegations of “serious security issues” with Nvidia chips, citing concerns over tracking and remote control capabilities. Huang said the company was surprised by the claims and is actively engaging with Beijing to clarify the matter [6].

Meanwhile, the broader U.S.-China trade dynamic has seen some easing, with Washington lifting certain restrictions on chip design software and jet engines while China approved more rare earth exports to the U.S. [7]. This context has provided some room for companies like Nvidia to navigate the regulatory environment and explore new opportunities for market access.

However, the geopolitical tensions remain complex. China’s push for self-reliance in advanced technology has led to a growing emphasis on domestic chip development, with firms like Huawei making strides in AI-optimized semiconductors. As a result, the demand for foreign chips like the H20 has faced internal resistance in some sectors [8].

Nvidia’s strategic approach reflects a delicate balancing act between compliance with U.S. export controls and the need to maintain relevance in the Chinese market. As it explores the potential for a new chip tailored to China, the company must navigate regulatory, political, and economic challenges that reflect the broader U.S.-China technology competition [9].

Source: [1]https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nvidias-ceo-says-talks-trump-070801353.html [2]https://fortune.com/2025/08/22/nvidia-china-chip-follow-on-h20-trump-b30a/ [3]https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nvidia-asks-suppliers-halt-h20-005428505.html [4]https://www.nytimes.com/topic/subject/computer-chips [5]https://m.economictimes.com/tech/technology/nvidia-ceo-in-taipei-to-visit-tsmc-says-in-talks-with-us-over-new-china-chip/articleshow/123445243.cms [6]https://www.barchart.com/story/news/34322311/nvidia-s-ceo-says-it-s-in-talks-with-trump-administration-on-a-new-chip-for-china [7]https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/nvidia-asks-foxconn-and-other-suppliers-to-stop-production-of-h20-chips-as-ceo-jensen-huang-visits-tsmc-says-my-main-purpose/articleshow/123448981.cms