NVIDIA’s H200 has received approval, but its launch in China is still uncertain.

      Credit: NVIDIA

      Following US President Donald Trump's announcement that NVIDIA’s H200 AI chips would be permitted for export to China, firms like ByteDance and Alibaba reached out to NVIDIA to investigate possible purchases, as reported by Reuters. Nevertheless, the actual fulfillment of these orders still hinges on official authorization.

      Why it matters: While the H200 has received clearance for export, its true entry into the Chinese market will depend on the direction of US policy, the purchasing interests of Chinese companies, and the progress of domestic Chinese chip alternatives.

      Details: Should Chinese authorities authorize local firms to acquire NVIDIA’s H200, numerous Chinese companies would be keen to make substantial orders, according to two insiders. However, one insider mentioned concerns regarding supply issues and the need for clear responses from NVIDIA.

      The US media outlet The Information also noted that Chinese regulators have summoned representatives from companies, including Alibaba, ByteDance, and Tencent, to assess their potential demand for the H200.

      Sources indicate that Chinese companies are very interested in the H200 due to its superior performance in training large models compared to current Chinese-made AI chips, which typically excel in inference workloads.

      Chinese businesses anticipate that regulators may review their applications to purchase the H200 and may request detailed usage scenarios, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, Beijing is evaluating the costs and benefits of permitting H200 imports, while also aiming to support domestic firms in adopting locally produced AI chips, such as those made by Cambricon.

      Context: On Monday, US President Donald Trump stated that NVIDIA will be permitted to sell its H200 AI chips to “approved customers” in China, albeit under strict conditions.

      Each sale will be subject to a 25% revenue share to be paid to the US government, with eligibility limited to certain designated customers. Additionally, NVIDIA’s advanced Blackwell and Rubin series remain prohibited.

      Though the announcement provides a slight hopeful outlook for NVIDIA’s re-entry into the Chinese market, uncertainty persists regarding whether the H200 can ultimately be sold in China.

      

      Jessie Wu is a tech reporter based in Shanghai, covering consumer electronics, semiconductors, and the gaming industry for TechNode. Reach her via email: [email protected].