Overview
- President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on select advanced processors, naming Nvidia’s H200 and AMD’s MI325X, with exemptions for chips used in U.S. data centers, startups, consumer and civil industrial uses, and public sector applications.
- Commerce approved case‑by‑case H200 sales to vetted Chinese customers subject to exporter certification of adequate U.S. supply, U.S. third‑party testing, security requirements for buyers, and a cap limiting China shipments to no more than 50% of volumes sold to U.S. customers.
- China‑bound chips produced overseas must transit the United States for independent verification, triggering the 25% duty when they enter U.S. customs.
- Nvidia welcomed the policy as a balanced approach supporting American jobs, while lawmakers and experts from both parties questioned enforceability and the precedent of the government taking a financial share.
- Reporting indicates Chinese authorities have cautioned firms on purchases, with customs said to be delaying H200 clearances and policymakers drafting rules to limit foreign AI chip buying.