Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang affirmed his company’s dedication to serving China’s semiconductor market after meeting with Beijing officials.
Huang is in the Chinese capital for the China International Supply Chain Expo, an event designed to promote China as a champion of free trade in contrast to the current global tariff landscape.
Huang stated that Chinese officials conveyed the country’s “open and stable” environment, emphasising their welcome for foreign investment.
He assured them that Nvidia, which recently hit a $4 trillion market valuation, remains committed to meeting China’s substantial demand for microchips used across various industries, from mobile phones to electric vehicles.
“They want to know that Nvidia continues to invest here, that we are still doing our best to serve the market here,” Huang said.
AI Innovation and Resumed Chip Sales
During the expo’s opening ceremony, Huang lauded China’s pioneering efforts in artificial intelligence, calling its open-source AI a “catalyst for global progress” that empowers all nations and industries to participate in the AI revolution.
He praised China’s “super-fast” innovation driven by its researchers, developers, and entrepreneurs, noting AI’s transformative impact across sectors like scientific research, healthcare, energy, transportation, and logistics.
Nvidia announced on Tuesday its plan to resume sales of its H20 AI chips to China, following assurances from Washington that export licensing restrictions would be lifted.
While Nvidia’s most advanced chips are barred from China due to US concerns about military applications, the H20 is a less powerful version specifically developed for the Chinese market.
This plan was previously stalled by tightened export licensing requirements in April. Nvidia confirmed it is “filing applications to sell the Nvidia H20 GPU again,” stating, “The US government has assured Nvidia that licences will be granted, and Nvidia hopes to start deliveries soon.”
This news significantly boosted tech firms globally, with Wall Street’s Nasdaq exchange reaching a new record high.
China’s Economic Stability and Global Trade Stance
The eased US export curbs come as China’s economy faces challenges, including cautious consumer spending and a prolonged property sector crisis.
President Xi Jinping has emphasised greater self-reliance amid growing external uncertainties.
During his opening remarks at the expo, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng subtly criticised the US, stating that “some countries are interfering in the market under the pretext of reducing risk, using measures such as imposing tariffs.”
He stressed the need to “firmly oppose the politicisation… and over-securitisation of economic and trade issues” in light of accelerating global changes and intertwining risks.
Beijing’s foreign ministry hailed the expo as a “new calling card for China’s high-level opening up to the outside world,” with spokesman Lin Jian asserting China’s willingness to work with all parties to maintain stability in global supply chains and promote an open world economy.
