US Greenlights Nvidia H200 Chip Exports to China with a 25% Tariff Under Trump Administration
In a significant policy shift that has sent ripples through the technology sector, the United States has authorized the export of Nvidia's powerful H200 AI chips to China, albeit with a hefty 25% tariff. President Donald Trump announced the decision, effectively bridging the internal debate within the US on whether to prioritize technological supremacy through export bans or to foster global market dominance via strategic sales.
This move has already positively impacted Nvidia's stock. Following initial gains spurred by a Semafor report, the company's shares saw an additional 2% rise in after-hours trading immediately after the announcement. It's a stark contrast to the stance of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang during the Trump administration's earlier tenure, when he vocally opposed export controls, deeming them detrimental to the American market. However, Huang has since adapted, acknowledging that the industry can absorb such tariffs.
Trump personally conveyed the decision to Chinese President Xi Jinping, who reportedly reacted positively.
The new regulations are slated to extend to similar offerings from rivals AMD and Intel, with the U.S. Department of Commerce tasked with finalizing the export terms. According to the White House, the 25% levy will function as an import tax on chips manufactured in Taiwan, where the H200s are produced. These shipments will undergo U.S. security screening before being dispatched to China.
Nvidia's Balanced Approach and Security Concerns
Nvidia has characterized the export of H200s as a "balanced approach," emphasizing that these high-performance chips will only be supplied to vetted commercial clients. While the specific quantities and limits for these exports remain undisclosed, they are mandated to adhere to conditions that uphold robust U.S. national security interests. This decision represents a compromise, falling short of a complete ban on the most advanced Blackwell series chips, which offer superior performance.
The Blackwell chips boast approximately 1.5 times the training speed and five times the inference speed of the H200, with performance advantages reaching up to tenfold for specific tasks. The decision has not been without its critics. Some U.S. senators have voiced strong disapproval, labeling it a "colossal economic and security mistake" due to fears that China could leverage these advanced chips for military development or to reverse-engineer Nvidia's cutting-edge technologies.
Market Reactions and China's AI Ambitions
Conversely, some experts argue that a complete prohibition might inadvertently bolster Chinese AI chip manufacturers like Huawei. In China, the reaction has been measured, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressing a desire for "mutually beneficial cooperation." Analysts anticipate a potential softening of regulatory stances towards Nvidia, as the H200 offers a substantial upgrade over the currently available, more restricted options like the H20, RTX 6000D, and L20, which Chinese companies have previously been advised to avoid.
Meanwhile, China continues its determined push to develop indigenous AI processors. Companies such as Huawei, Cambricon, and Moore Threads are already active in the market. However, industry observers caution that despite the current "window of opportunity," Beijing's long-term strategy is firmly set on achieving independent manufacturing capabilities.
Comments (0)
There are no comments for now