The American president’s move aims to make Beijing more dependent on Washington in terms of high technology.
Significant turning point in relations between Washington and Beijing. Monday, Donald Trump has authorized Nvidia to export its H200 chips to China.
“I have informed Chinese President Xi that the United States will allow Nvidia to ship its H200 products to approved customers in China and other countries under conditions that maintain strong national security,” the White House resident said on Truth, before adding: “President Xi has responded positively! 25% will be paid to the United States of America. This policy will support American jobs, strengthen US manufacturing, and benefit American taxpayers.” “The Biden administration forced our big companies to spend billions of dollars making ‘degraded’ products that no one wanted, a terrible idea that has slowed innovation and harmed American workers. That era is over! We will protect national security, create American jobs and we will maintain American leadership in artificial intelligence”, he continued.
Yet, the People’s Republic would be willing to impose limitations on the import of H200 chips. “Beijing is set to restrict access to Nvidia’s advanced H200 chipsdespite Donald Trump’s decision to allow the export of the technology to China, in an effort to achieve self-sufficiency in semiconductor manufacturing”reported the Financial Times. Satisfaction was instead expressed by Nvidia. “We applaud President Trump’s decision to allow the American chip industry to compete to support good-paying jobs and manufacturing in America. Offering H200 to approved commercial customers, verified by the Department of Commerce, represents a thoughtful balance that is great for America“, declared a spokesperson for the US technological giant. The issue of semiconductors is notoriously very delicate. In recent months, the Trump administration had effectively blocked the export of high technology to China and China, for its part, had imposed restrictions on the export of rare earths to the United States. All this continued until the end of October, when Trump and Xi Jinping have reached a trade truce. Beijing has pledged to postpone restrictions on the export of strategic minerals, while yesterday the White House made its decision on H200 chips. According to critics, Trump’s move could have negative impacts on American national security and risk giving the Dragon an advantage in the competition relating to the artificial intelligence sector. On the other hand, according to the US administration, the green light for Nvidia represents an opportunity to make Beijing more dependent on Washington in terms of technological supply. Trump is also aware that technological dependence represents one of the main concerns harbored by Xi.
