Nvidia has announced it is applying for licences to resume the sale of its H20 AI chips to China, following recent adjustments in US export regulations.
In a blog post, the company confirmed the move comes after the US government reversed some earlier restrictions, paving the way for renewed trade. Nvidia expects approvals soon and plans to begin shipments shortly after.
Alongside this, Nvidia unveiled a new chip called the “RTX Pro,” tailored specifically for the Chinese market and fully compliant with current export rules. The chip is designed for industrial use, particularly in digital logistics and smart factory applications.
While not its top-tier processor, the H20 remains the most advanced chip Nvidia can legally sell in China under existing restrictions. Favoured for AI inference tasks, it features high memory bandwidth and is compatible with Nvidia’s popular software platforms.
The company’s stock surged to a new high following the announcement.
Major Chinese tech firms like ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent had already stockpiled the H20 earlier in 2025 amid fears of export bans. Analysts estimated Nvidia risked losing up to $16 billion in revenue when the initial restrictions took effect in April.
The policy reversal followed Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s appearance at a high-profile fundraising event for Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where seats cost $1 million each.
Reports from NPR suggest the Biden administration eased its stance after Huang pledged significant investments in US infrastructure. Nvidia subsequently revealed plans to build American AI data centres worth up to $500 billion over the next four years, in collaboration with TSMC.
Still, the decision has sparked criticism in Washington, with some lawmakers warning it may undermine efforts to contain China’s growing AI capabilities.
Concerns have intensified after Chinese startup DeepSeek developed an advanced AI model using Nvidia’s H800 chip—officially banned since 2023 but reportedly still reaching China through grey markets.
Nvidia spokesperson Hector Marinez said CEO Jensen Huang had engaged with leaders in both Washington and Beijing to stress AI’s potential benefits for industry and society.
The situation highlights the delicate balance US officials must strike between economic goals and national security, as global tech rivalry deepens.
