Trump Backs Sale of Nvidia H200 Chips to China
President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social late Dec. 8 that he has decided to allow the sale of Nvidia’s H200 AI chips to “approved customers” in China.
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The shipments will take place “under conditions that allow for continued strong National Security,” and a portion of the sales revenue will be paid to the U.S. government, Trump wrote. "$25% will be paid to the United States of America."
He added that "this policy will support American Jobs, strengthen U.S. Manufacturing, and benefit American Taxpayers.”
The Commerce Department “is finalizing the details, and the same approach will apply to AMD, Intel, and other GREAT American Companies,” Trump continued. Trump said he informed President Xi Jingping of his decision and that Xi “responded positively!”
Trump noted that his decision doesn't apply to Nvidia's new Blackwell chip, which he recently barred from China (see 2511030031), or its upcoming Rubin chip.
An Nvidia spokesperson welcomed the decision, saying it will "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."
Senate Banking Committee ranking member Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., criticized the decision and urged Congress to pass legislation that “reins in” the Trump administration.
“After his backroom meeting with Donald Trump [last week] and his company’s donation to the Trump [White House] ballroom, CEO Jensen Huang got his wish to sell the most powerful AI chip we’ve ever sold to China,” Warren said in a statement. “This risks turbocharging China’s bid for technological and military dominance and undermining U.S. economic and national security.”
Warren and Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., ranking member of the Banking Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and Finance, urged Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick Dec. 3 to block the sale of H200s to China (see 2512030050). Lutnick said in late November that the administration was weighing whether to lift restrictions on H200 exports to China (see 2511240029).