Nvidia’s Huang Says China Will Eventually Allow US AI Chip Imports, Reviving H200 Hopes
Summary
- Huang said China will eventually allow imports of US-made AI chips, reopening the market over time.
- The Trump administration has eased export restrictions on Nvidia’s H200 AI chip shipments to China and is proceeding with the export licensing process.
- Nvidia has valued the China market at about $50 billion, but it effectively kept its forecast for AI chip revenue from China at zero earlier this year.
Forecast Trend Report by Period
Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang said China will eventually allow imports of US-made artificial intelligence chips.
Bloomberg reported on May 18 that Huang, in an interview with Bloomberg TV the previous day, said the Chinese government must decide how much it wants to protect its domestic market. Over time, the market will eventually open, he added.
Expectations have recently grown that Nvidia may resume AI chip shipments to China after Huang joined President Donald Trump’s trip to China at the last minute.
Huang said he did not discuss sales of Nvidia’s H200 AI chip in China directly with Chinese authorities during the visit. He acknowledged, however, that the issue was discussed in talks between officials from the two governments.
Trump spoke with Chinese leaders about the matter, Huang said, adding that he is waiting to see what decision emerges.
Trump also said after returning to Washington on May 15 that the H200 issue was discussed at the meetings and that there could be some progress.
The Trump administration eased restrictions in December 2025 to allow some exports of Nvidia’s H200 AI chips to China. The US Commerce Department has since proceeded with the related export licensing process.
China, however, is known to have delayed actual purchase approvals, citing its strategy to build a self-sufficient semiconductor industry and foster domestic companies such as Huawei.
Huang has previously described the China market as an opportunity worth about $50 billion. Even so, Nvidia is reported to have effectively kept its forecast for AI chip revenue from China at zero earlier this year.
