Nvidia's H200 May Get Green Light for China as Trump Administration Debates Export Policy

Photo: Wikimedia CommonsThe Trump administration is weighing whether to allow Nvidia to ship its high-performance H200 artificial-intelligence processors to China, according to a report from Bloomberg on November 21. The discussions are still ongoing, and officials stressed that no final decision has been made. The review may not lead to actual exports.

Performance Gap Between H200 and B200

Launched in 2023, the H200 is the most powerful chip in Nvidia’s Hopper-based AI lineup. Although it does not match the next-generation Blackwell-based B200, it significantly outperforms the H20, which is one of the few Nvidia AI chips the United States currently permits for sale in China.

Shifts in Trump’s Export Strategy

President Trump has previously said that U.S. companies could sell semiconductors to China as long as the products were not cutting edge. In recent interviews, he reiterated that the United States should retain exclusive control of the most advanced chips, yet he also left open the possibility of limited AI semiconductor sales.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent added that only after one or two years might the United States consider exporting next-generation chips like those built on the Blackwell architecture.

Middle East Approvals Fuel Speculation

Washington recently allowed sales of Nvidia’s most advanced chips to countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, signaling a partial shift in its approach. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said that prospects for AI chip sales in China were currently “zero,” but he noted that the company is working to convince both Washington and Beijing to restore market access.

China Sales Collapse and Market Reaction

Nvidia has faced major hurdles in the Chinese market this year. After President Trump blocked exports of the H20 in April during trade tensions with Beijing, the restriction was lifted roughly three months later. Even so, Chinese buyers continued their boycott, sending Nvidia’s sales in the country effectively to zero.

The current export-control regime originated under the Biden administration in 2022. Following Bloomberg’s report on the potential policy shift, Nvidia’s stock rose more than 2 percent and briefly touched 184.56 dollars.

Reported by Choi Song-a, Contributing Writer ㅣchoesonga627@gmail.com