US holds up Nvidia AI chip deliveries to China, says report

Nvidia's H200 AI chip sales to China remain in limbo nearly two months even after U.S. ​President Donald Trump approved exports, pending a U.S. national ‌security review.

As reported by the Financial Times on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Chinese customers are not placing further H200 chip orders with Nvidia until it becomes clear whether they will be able to secure the licenses or what conditions will be attached, the report ⁠said.

While Nvidia and the U.S. State Department did not immediately share their stance at the moment.

In January 2026, the Commerce Department eased export curbs on the H200 for China but required license applications to ​be reviewed by the U.S. Departments of State, Defense, ‌and Energy.

According to the report, the Commerce Department has completed its analysis, but the State Department was pushing for tougher restrictions to make it harder for China to use the H200 chips in ways that would undermine U.S. national security.

Nvidia CEO Jensen ⁠Huang said last week he hopes ​China will allow the U.S. technology ​giant to sell its powerful H200 artificial intelligence chip in the country and that the license is being ‍finalized.

Reuters reported ⁠last month that China had approved its first batch of Nvidia's H200 artificial intelligence chips for import, marking a ⁠shift in position as China seeks to balance its AI needs against spurring ‌domestic development.