Department of Commerce may approve Nvidia H200 chip exports to China

The U.S. Department of Commerce is reportedly preparing to approve Nvidia’s export of advanced H200 AI chips to China, marking a potential shift in U.S. policy. These H200 chips are significantly more advanced than the H20 chips Nvidia previously developed specifically for the Chinese market. However, the approval would only allow the shipment of H200 chips that are about 18 months old. Nvidia has expressed support for this decision, emphasizing that it balances national interests and supports American manufacturing jobs. This development follows recent statements from Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo indicating a pending decision on the matter. The potential approval comes amid ongoing tensions and legislative efforts to restrict advanced AI chip exports to China over national security concerns. Bipartisan lawmakers introduced the Secure and Feasible Exports Act (SAFE) Chips Act, which would impose a 30-month ban on exporting advanced AI chips to China, though the timing of a vote remains uncertain. Historically, the Trump administration had imposed export restrictions on chip companies like Nvidia, but also showed