The Trump administration has authorized Nvidia to export its H200 artificial intelligence chips to Chinese buyers under newly established security protocols, marking a significant shift in semiconductor trade policy. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security unveiled regulations that effectively lower export barriers while implementing specific safeguards.
Under the revised framework, Nvidia must guarantee adequate domestic supply within the United States prior to any international shipments. Additionally, all H200 chips destined for Chinese markets will require comprehensive third-party verification. The policy explicitly prohibits military applications and caps China’s import volume at 50% of chips sold to American customers.
Nvidia expressed approval of the 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.”
The approval excludes Nvidia’s most advanced Blackwell and upcoming Rubin architectures, which remain under export restrictions. This development follows August negotiations where Nvidia and AMD agreed to allocate 15% of their Chinese semiconductor revenues to the U.S. government as part of their export licensing arrangement.
Democratic legislators have raised national security concerns, arguing that these exports could potentially enhance China’s military capabilities, cyber warfare effectiveness, and manufacturing sector. The decision reflects Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s growing influence within administration circles, though experts caution about potential technology transfer risks that could advance China’s AI development programs.