US Approves H200 Chip Sales to China Amid Tech Tensions

Sources Agree
  • May 14, 2026 at 5:41 AM ET
  • Est. Read: 1 Min
US Approves H200 Chip Sales to China Amid Tech TensionsAI-generated illustration — does not depict real events

Key Takeaways

The U.S. has cleared around 10 Chinese firms to buy Nvidia's H200 AI chips, but no deliveries have been made amid ongoing tech tensions. The approval includes major companies like Alibaba, Tencent, ByteDance, and JD.com. President Trump's visit to China aims to ease trade tensions and boost investment in American manufacturing.

The U.S. has approved around 10 Chinese firms, including tech giants like Alibaba, Tencent, ByteDance, and JD.com, to purchase Nvidia's H200 AI chips. However, despite this approval, no deliveries have been made so far.

The clearance comes as President Donald Trump visits China for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The trip aims to ease trade tensions and potentially unlock stalled efforts to sell the H200 chips in China. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang joined the delegation, raising hopes for a breakthrough in the tech rivalry.

The stakes are significant as the U.S.-China tech competition impacts even approved trade deals. Before tightened export curbs, Nvidia commanded about 95% of China’s advanced chip market. The U.S. Commerce Department's approval includes distributors like Lenovo and Foxconn, with each approved customer allowed to purchase up to 75,000 chips. However, Chinese firms have pulled back due to guidance from Beijing.

The delay reflects strategic calculations by China, which fears imports could weaken its push for homegrown AI chips. The U.S. requires Chinese buyers to demonstrate sufficient security procedures and certify inventory in the United States. This has prompted unease in Beijing over potential tampering or hidden vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, Trump's visit also focuses on securing investment from Chinese companies to modernize American factories.

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