H200 Chip Exports Signal a New Phase in US–China Tech Ties

H200 Chip Exports Signal a New Phase in US–China Tech Ties

The United States has eased export restrictions on Nvidias H200 chip, signaling a recalibration of its technology strategy toward China. According to Euronews, the Commerce Department has shifted from a blanket presumption of denial to a case-by-case review system, allowing conditional exports under strict safeguards.

The H200 chip, a key AI accelerator positioned below Nvidias most advanced processors, will now be eligible for export subject to performance limits, third-party testing, enhanced customer checks, and caps on shipment volumes. No more than half of U.S. production may be sold to China, and approved exports are subject to a 25% government surcharge.

For Nvidia, the policy change reopens partial access to a major market amid strong Chinese demand for AI computing power. However, national security concerns remain central, with U.S. officials aiming to balance commercial interests against the risk of military or surveillance use.

The move reflects a broader shift from outright technological decoupling toward managed competition, with implications for global semiconductor supply chains, AI development, and investor sentiment. While the decision may support near-term revenues, regulatory uncertainty continues to shape market reactions.

Overall, the H200 export policy highlights how semiconductors remain at the center of U.S.–China strategic rivalry, where economic, technological, and geopolitical considerations increasingly intersect.

Source: Euronews