Nvidia CEO says Trump talks on China chip sales will take a while

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang revealed that discussions with the Trump White House about allowing sales of a less advanced version of the company’s next-generation Blackwell AI chips to China “will take a while.” The talks represent a potential shift in U.S.-China tech policy, as Nvidia seeks to maintain access to the Chinese market while navigating ongoing export restrictions on advanced semiconductor technology.

What you should know: Huang confirmed that preliminary conversations with the White House have begun regarding Blackwell chip exports to China.

• The discussions focus on allowing sales of a “less advanced version” of Nvidia’s next-generation Blackwell chips, suggesting a compromise approach to existing export controls.
• Huang emphasized that these negotiations are expected to be lengthy, indicating the complexity of balancing national security concerns with commercial interests.

Why this matters: China represents a crucial market for Nvidia’s AI chip business, and export restrictions have significantly impacted the company’s revenue potential in the region.

• The Biden administration previously implemented strict controls on advanced AI chip exports to China, forcing Nvidia to develop less powerful variants for the Chinese market.
• Any policy changes under Trump could reshape the competitive landscape for AI chip manufacturing and global technology supply chains.

What they’re saying: Huang framed the potential chip sales as beneficial to U.S. technological leadership in artificial intelligence.

• “President Trump understands that having the world built AI on American tech stack helps America win the AI race,” Huang said during the Fox Business News interview.
• The CEO’s comments suggest Nvidia is positioning the sales as advancing U.S. strategic interests rather than simply expanding market access.

The bigger picture: The discussions highlight the ongoing tension between maintaining technological competitiveness and addressing national security concerns in U.S.-China tech relations.

• Nvidia’s Blackwell chips represent the company’s latest generation of AI processors, designed to handle increasingly sophisticated machine learning workloads.
• The outcome of these talks could influence broader semiconductor export policies and set precedents for other U.S. tech companies seeking Chinese market access.