Nvidia’s Chief Executive Officer, Jensen Huang, has confirmed ongoing discussions with the Trump administration concerning a potential new computer chip tailored for the Chinese market. The deliberations center on addressing the restrictions imposed on the sale of advanced semiconductors to China due to U.S. national security concerns.
While on a visit to Taiwan, Huang addressed inquiries about the possibility of a “B30A” semiconductor designed for artificial intelligence data centers in China. His visit included meetings with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. (TSMC), a critical manufacturing partner for Nvidia and the world’s leading chip manufacturer. The proposed B30A chip represents Nvidia’s efforts to navigate export regulations while still participating in the Chinese market.
Huang clarified Nvidia’s position, stating, “I’m offering a new product to China for … AI data centers, the follow-on to H20.” He emphasized that the ultimate decision regarding the sale of the B30A chip rests with the U.S. government. “That’s not our decision to make. It’s up to, of course, the United States government. And we’re in dialogue with them, but it’s too soon to know,” Huang added, underlining the complexities of the regulatory landscape.
Graphics processing units (GPUs) like the proposed B30A are instrumental in the development and advancement of AI systems. However, due to U.S. regulations, Nvidia’s most powerful semiconductors cannot be exported to China. The B30A is designed to comply with these restrictions while still providing significant capabilities for AI data centers. The chip is reportedly based on Nvidia’s Blackwell technology but with adjusted performance specifications to meet export requirements.
Reports indicate the B30A chip is engineered to operate at approximately half the speed of Nvidia’s flagship B300 chips. This adjustment ensures compliance with U.S. export control measures while allowing Nvidia to offer a viable product for the Chinese market. The compromise in performance reflects the delicate balance Nvidia seeks to strike between business interests and national security concerns.
Huang acknowledged the Trump administration’s recent decision to permit the sale of Nvidia’s H20 chips to China. This approval, which followed a suspension in April of the same year, is contingent upon Nvidia paying a 15% tax to the U.S. government on those sales. Concurrently, Huang noted that Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) faces a similar tax of 15% on sales of its MI380 chips to China.
While Huang refrained from commenting directly on the imposed tax, he expressed Nvidia’s appreciation for the opportunity to sell H20 chips to China. He asserted that these sales do not pose a security risk to the United States, emphasizing the company’s commitment to ensuring its products do not compromise national security interests. Nvidia’s strategy involves transparent communication with both U.S. and Chinese authorities.
In addition to discussions with the U.S. government, Nvidia is actively engaging with Beijing to address concerns about potential security vulnerabilities in its chips. Huang stated that Nvidia aims to reassure Chinese authorities that its chips do not present a “backdoor” security risk. These assurances are crucial for maintaining Nvidia’s standing in the Chinese market and fostering trust with regulatory bodies.
“We have made very clear and put to rest that H20 has no security backdoors. There are no such things. There never has. And so hopefully the response that we’ve given to the Chinese government will be sufficient,” Huang remarked, highlighting the company’s efforts to dispel any doubts regarding the security of its products. These statements aim to counter recent allegations regarding potential vulnerabilities.
The Cyberspace Administration of China, the country’s internet regulatory agency, recently published a notice on its website referencing purported “serious security issues” associated with Nvidia’s computer chips. The notice cited unnamed U.S. experts on AI who claimed that such chips possess “mature tracking and location and remote shutdown technologies.” The agency requested Nvidia to provide explanations and documentation addressing these alleged risks.
Huang conveyed that Nvidia was surprised by these accusations and is actively engaged in discussions with Beijing to address the concerns. “As you know, they requested and urged us to secure licenses for the H20s for some time. And I’ve worked quite hard to help them secure the licenses. And so hopefully this will be resolved,” Huang stated, reflecting Nvidia’s commitment to resolving the security concerns and maintaining its market access in China.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Chinese authorities are also displeased with comments made by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick regarding the sale of outdated chips to China. Lutnick’s remarks, made on CNBC, indicated that the U.S. strategy involves maintaining China’s reliance on American chip technology by selling them only the “fourth best” chips. This strategy has potentially fueled tensions and reinforced China’s resolve to achieve technological self-sufficiency.
“We don’t sell them our best stuff,” Lutnick stated. “Not our second best stuff. Not even our third best, but I think fourth best is where we’ve come out that we’re cool,” he added, outlining the U.S. approach to managing technology exports to China. These comments have reportedly resonated negatively within Chinese government circles, intensifying the focus on domestic semiconductor development.
China’s ruling Communist Party has designated self-reliance in advanced technology as a strategic priority. Despite its current reliance on foreign semiconductor expertise, China is investing heavily in developing its domestic chip manufacturing capabilities. This strategic objective underscores China’s long-term ambition to reduce its dependence on foreign technology and enhance its global competitiveness.
