NVIDIA can now sell AI chips to China as US eases export rules

The U.S. Commerce Department has eased export restrictions on advanced AI chips to China, allowing companies like NVIDIA and AMD to apply for licenses to sell certain high-performance processors under strict conditions. This marks a significant shift from previous policies that largely rejected such exports outright. Under the new rules, chipmakers can seek approval to export processors like NVIDIA’s H200 and AMD’s MI325X on a case-by-case basis, provided they demonstrate no shortage of supply in the U.S. and certify that shipments will not detract from domestic needs. The policy also applies to Macau and restricts eligibility to chips below specific performance thresholds, while explicitly barring exports for military, intelligence, or weapons-related uses. The revised framework further limits exports to no more than 50% of the volume shipped domestically and requires rigorous customer verification and independent third-party testing before shipment. This approach aims to prevent advanced U.S. AI technology from enhancing China’s defense or intelligence capabilities while cautiously reopening commercial access. NVIDIA’s H200