Trump May Allow Nvidia's Blackwell AI Chip Sale to China

On August 11, U.S. President Donald Trump stated he may permit Nvidia to sell a reduced-capability version of its upcoming Blackwell AI chip to China, despite ongoing export restrictions.

Currently, Nvidia can only sell its older H20 chip, based on the Hopper architecture, to the Chinese market. The H20 was specifically designed to comply with U.S. export rules and has been sold in China since 2024. Trump also confirmed a revenue-sharing deal where Nvidia and AMD will provide the U.S. government with 15 percent of revenue from sales of certain advanced chips to China.

Key Highlights

• Trump may allow Nvidia to sell a limited Blackwell AI chip to China
• Nvidia and AMD to share 15% China chip sales revenue with U.S
• Critics warn scaled-down chips could still boost China’s AI power

While the U.S. Commerce Department has begun issuing licenses for H20 exports—arguing they do not pose a national security risk—critics warn that even downgraded AI chips could still enable China to advance its artificial intelligence capabilities.

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The move marks a nuanced shift in U.S. semiconductor policy toward China, balancing economic benefits with national security concerns. Nvidia and AMD have reiterated their compliance with U.S. export regulations but have not commented on the reported revenue-sharing arrangement.

The potential introduction of a limited Blackwell chip in China could open a new chapter in U.S.–China tech relations, with implications for the global AI chip market and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the semiconductor sector.