News
Nvidia H200 exports to China approved by Commerce, awaiting State Department review
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 08:01 AM
Nvidia's H200 exports to China have been approved by the U.S. Department of Commerce but are awaiting review by the U.S. State Department.
Context
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is visiting China in late January 2026 as part of a high-stakes effort to stabilize the company’s regional business following a major shift in US trade policy. This trip follows the Trump administration's recent decision to lift a blanket ban on high-end AI semiconductors, specifically greenlighting exports of the H200 model on a case-by-case basis effective January 16.
The policy pivot remains complex as the new approvals are accompanied by a mandatory 25% tariff and strict security conditions. With China historically accounting for approximately 13% to 20% of Nvidia's revenue, the visit is a critical mission to reassure tech giants like Tencent and Alibaba while navigating local customs delays and rising domestic competition. Analysts estimate the company aims to recoup over $10 billion in annual sales potentially lost during the previous year’s regulatory freeze.
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