Trump Administration Green-lights Nvidia H200 China Export Under Strict Quotas

A tactical retreat or a calculated strike? The Trump administration is letting Nvidia's high-end chips back into China—but with a major catch that keeps the reins firmly in Washington's hands.

The Strategy Behind the Trump Administration Nvidia H200 China Export Approval

According to the Department of Commerce, the US has officially authorized Nvidia to sell its H200 artificial intelligence chips to China. The H200 is currently the company's second-most-advanced processor, boasting significant performance gains for AI training. However, the approval comes with a stringent condition: shipments to China cannot exceed 50% of the volume sold within the United States.

This policy shift aims to strike a delicate balance. On one hand, the administration wants to curtail China's rapid progress in AI. On the other, it recognizes the need to maintain American firms' global market share. By allowing controlled sales, the US prevents Chinese tech giants from fully pivoting to domestic alternatives, which would weaken Nvidia's long-term influence in the region.

Navigating the Market-Security Paradox

Industry analysts suggest this "domestic linkage" quota is a new tool in Trump's trade arsenal. It ensures that the US domestic AI ecosystem is always better supplied than its rivals. As of January 14, 2026, this move is seen as a pragmatic response to pressure from Silicon Valley to loosen export curbs that were previously deemed too restrictive for business.