During his visit to South Korea, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said he hopes the company’s cutting-edge Blackwell AI chips can eventually be sold in China but acknowledged that the final call rests with U.S. President Donald Trump. His comments came a day after Trump met Chinese leader Xi Jinping for talks that touched on semiconductors, a central issue in U.S.-China tech tensions.
US-China Tech Friction
The Biden-era export controls on Nvidia’s most advanced AI chips remain in place under Trump, aimed at curbing China’s military and AI progress. Huang argued that continued access to Nvidia’s technology benefits both nations and warned against underestimating China’s ability to develop homegrown alternatives.
Nvidia has designed a modified Blackwell chip for China that’s less powerful than global versions but stronger than the current H20 model allowed under U.S. restrictions. Yet Beijing has discouraged local firms from buying Nvidia chips, steering them instead toward domestic producers like Huawei.
Why It Matters
The dispute underscores how AI and chip technology have become the new front line of geopolitical competition. For Nvidia, China represents one of its largest potential markets but Washington’s controls could shut the door entirely. For China, U.S. curbs accelerate its push for semiconductor independence.
Nvidia (U.S.) – seeks to regain access to the lucrative Chinese market.
Trump Administration – weighing national security against commercial and diplomatic interests.
China & Huawei – pursuing AI self-sufficiency amid tightening U.S. restrictions.
What’s Next
Huang’s remarks signal quiet lobbying ahead of potential policy reviews. Trump has hinted that future semiconductor talks with Beijing could expand, but for now, Nvidia’s hopes rest on Washington’s next move and whether the U.S. sees chips as trade leverage or a security threat.
With information from Reuters.
