U.S. considers letting Nvidia sell H200 AI chips to China

Washington, Nov. 21, 2025 — The U.S. government is reportedly considering permitting Nvidia to export its H200 artificial intelligence chips to China, according to several people familiar with the matter. The Commerce Department, which controls export licensing, is reviewing current restrictions, though no final decision has been made.

This shift would mark a significant softening of the very tight export policies that have kept advanced U.S. AI technology largely out of China, especially following a recent trade and technology détente between U.S. and Chinese leaders. However, the proposal is stirring concern among hardline voices in Washington, who warn that allowing H200 chip sales could strengthen China’s own military and AI capabilities.

The idea of reopening the Chinese market to high-performance AI semiconductors comes amid broader strategic debates: balancing national security risks against the economic and technological benefits of U.S. companies selling to Chinese customers. As the review continues, both the White House and the Commerce Department have declined to publicly comment, heightening uncertainty around the future of U.S.–China chip exports.