A360
Key Takeaways✦ Atlas AI
01
U.S. approved H200 chip sales.
02
Chinese firms have not purchased chips.
03
Beijing prioritizes domestic AI chip development.
Atlas AI
The United States has authorized approximately 10 Chinese companies to purchase Nvidia's H200 artificial intelligence chips; however, no deliveries have occurred as of May 14, 2026. This situation unfolds as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang participates in a U.S. delegation to Beijing, aiming to facilitate these transactions amid ongoing U.S.-China technology competition.
Key Chinese firms, including Alibaba, Tencent, ByteDance, and JD.com, have received U.S. approval to acquire the H200 chips. Additionally, distributors such as Lenovo and Foxconn have been cleared to facilitate these sales. Each approved Chinese customer is permitted to purchase up to 75,000 H200 chips, either directly from Nvidia or through authorized intermediaries.
Despite U.S. clearance, Chinese companies have not proceeded with purchases, reportedly due to guidance from Beijing. This hesitation stems from China's strategic focus on developing its domestic AI chip industry, with concerns that importing foreign chips could undermine these efforts. The U.S. Commerce Department has declined to comment on the matter, while Chinese ministries have not responded to inquiries.
