U.S. Resumes Nvidia H20 Chip Exports to China After Trump Meeting

The U.S. Department of Commerce has started authorizing licenses for Nvidia to export its H20 AI chips to China, reversing a previous decision that had halted the shipments and triggered a significant financial strain on the company. A U.S. official confirmed that the Bureau of Industry and Security—responsible for overseeing export controls—has begun processing these licenses, indicating a shift in regulatory stance [1]. The move follows a high-profile White House meeting between Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and U.S. President Donald Trump, which reportedly played a key role in the administration’s reversal [2].

Nvidia had initially faced a ban on exporting H20 chips to China in April, a decision that caused weeks of uncertainty and prompted Huang to engage in direct lobbying with the president. Despite his efforts, no licenses were issued for over three weeks, leading to frustration within the company. However, two days after a subsequent meeting with Trump, the approval process resumed. Sources suggest that the Oval Office discussion significantly influenced the Commerce Department’s decision to allow the exports [3].

The H20 chip was specifically designed for the Chinese market following prior restrictions imposed by the Biden administration on more advanced AI chips. The Trump-era export ban had initially caused a $4.5 billion loss for Nvidia in its July quarter, with further projected losses exceeding $2.5 billion. The company had anticipated an $8 billion revenue shortfall from China in that period, a market it estimates will grow to $50 billion in the next two to three years [4].

Security experts have raised concerns over the approval, warning that allowing China access to advanced AI chips could strengthen its military capabilities. A group of 20 security analysts, including former National Security Adviser Matt Pottinger and National Security Council member David Feith, urged the Commerce Department to block the sales, calling the decision a “strategic misstep” that could erode U.S. technological and military advantages [5]. Nvidia, however, dismissed these concerns as “misguided,” arguing that export restrictions only accelerate China’s independent innovation efforts and weaken U.S. global competitiveness [6].

The decision to allow H20 chip exports reflects a more nuanced U.S. approach to technology exports, distinguishing between highly sensitive components and those deemed less of a national security threat. The H20 chip, while powerful, is not as advanced as previous models and does not fall under the most restricted categories of export controls. This distinction appears to have been a key factor in the administration’s decision to grant the licenses [7].

Nvidia’s stance on government surveillance access to its chips has also drawn attention. The company has firmly rejected any proposals to include backdoors or remote kill switches in its GPUs, arguing that such measures would compromise trust in U.S. technology. In a recent blog post, the company’s Chief Security Officer, David Reber Jr., emphasized that “Nvidia’s GPUs do not and should not have kill switches and backdoors.” This position aligns with broader industry resistance to such proposals, as seen in Apple’s long-standing opposition to software backdoors [8].

The resumption of H20 chip exports to China is expected to provide Nvidia with much-needed financial relief while also allowing Chinese firms greater access to advanced AI hardware. However, the move does not signal a broad relaxation of U.S. export policies toward China. Instead, it represents a strategic approach to balancing economic and national security interests, ensuring that certain high-demand but less sensitive technologies can still enter the market under specific regulatory conditions [9].

Sources:

[1] South - https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3321297/us-starts-issuing-licences-nvidia-export-h20-chips-china-official-says

[2] Times - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/nvidia-ceo-visits-white-house-to-seek-licenses-for-designed-for-china-ai-chips-heres-what-made-him-personally-lobby-with-donald-trump/articleshow/123203385.cms

[3] CoinMarketCap - https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/689719bd80953114ca891cc5/

[4] Benzinga - https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/08/47017849/nvidias-8-billion-loss-may-be-averted-as-us-approves-h20-chip-exports-to-china-amid-trad-tensions-report

[5] Times - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/nvidia-gets-green-light-us-clears-chip-exports-to-china-eases-billion-dollars-hit-after-ceos-meeting-with-trump/articleshow/123200512.cms

[6] Wccftech - https://wccftech.com/nvidia-h20-ai-chips-reportedly-gets-the-green-light-from-the-trump-administration-for-export-to-china/

[7] BusinessWorld - https://www.businessworld.in/article/us-clears-nvidias-h20-chip-exports-to-china-easing-major-sales-roadblock-566797

[9] Tech in Asia - https://www.techinasia.com/news/us-reportedly-lets-nvidia-export-h20-chips-to-china/amp/