Nvidia Readmitted To China With Conditional License
The US government has granted Nvidia Corp. a license to ship a small number of its less advanced …
13. May 2026

The surprise snub of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang from President Donald Trump’s China state visit has left many in the business world scratching their heads. With a guest list that includes tech giants like Apple’s Tim Cook and Tesla’s Elon Musk, Huang’s absence is a notable omission, considering his significant role as the CEO of the most valuable company in the world.
Huang has been a fixture around Washington for years, having been included in several high-profile state visits with Trump. His presence at these events is often seen as an endorsement of his company’s business dealings and technological prowess. In London last year, Trump even praised Huang, saying, “You’re taking over the world, Jensen.” However, this time around, it seems that the White House has decided to leave him out of the mix.
So, what could be the reason behind Huang’s exclusion? One possible explanation lies in the complex web of trade tensions between the US and China. The two countries have been engaged in a heated debate over access to high-end AI chips, with the US imposing restrictions on the export of advanced semiconductors to China. Nvidia, which was once the driving force behind China’s AI industry, has faced significant challenges due to these restrictions.
In 2025, Trump approved the export of Nvidia’s H200 chips to China, but only after the company made several concessions. The US blocked its most advanced semiconductors over concerns that American “dual-use” technologies could be diverted towards China’s military programs. However, even this compromise was met with resistance from Beijing, which stepped in and told its customs officers to stop the chips at the border.
The ban had a devastating impact on Nvidia’s China market share, which plummeted from a high of 95% to essentially zero. This created an opportunity for homegrown chipmakers like Huawei, Cambricon, Alibaba, and Baidu to gain ground as they fill the vacuum left behind by the American chipmaker. While Trump eventually gave the go-signal for Nvidia to sell H200 chips to China again (provided the company secures a license), US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has stated that Nvidia has yet to sell a single H200 AI GPU to China.
This regulatory limbo has been ongoing for almost six months, and it’s likely that Huawei and other Chinese companies are still waiting with bated breath for access to these high-end chips. Beijing understands that its AI companies need advanced hardware like Nvidia’s Blackwell and upcoming Vera Rubin chips to remain competitive in the global market. However, the US stance on this issue remains firm, and it appears that Washington is not willing to compromise.
The absence of Jensen Huang from Trump’s entourage is seen as a “strong signal” by some experts, including Ryan Fedasiuk, an American Enterprise Institute fellow. This signal suggests that the US is unwilling to budge on its stance regarding high-end AI chips, and that any concessions made by Nvidia will need to be carefully negotiated.
The implications of this snub are far-reaching, particularly for the tech industry in China. With access to high-end AI chips becoming increasingly difficult, Chinese companies are being forced to rely on alternative solutions, such as domestic semiconductor manufacturing. However, this is a challenging and resource-intensive process that requires significant investments of time and money.
The US-China trade tensions are likely to continue to simmer in the background for some time, with each side trying to find common ground while maintaining its stance on key issues. The future of high-end AI chips in China remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the US will not be willing to compromise on its concerns regarding dual-use technologies and their potential use in military programs.
As we move forward, it’s essential to keep a close eye on this issue, as it has significant implications for the global tech industry. With tensions between the two superpowers showing no signs of easing, it’s likely that we’ll see further developments in the coming months. Whether or not Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang will be included in future state visits remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: his absence from Trump’s entourage marks a significant turning point in the US-China trade landscape.
In addition to its impact on Nvidia, this snub also highlights the growing rift between the US and China. The two nations have been engaged in a heated debate over trade policies, security concerns, and technological advancements. As tensions continue to rise, it’s essential for both sides to engage in constructive dialogue and find mutually beneficial solutions.
The exclusion of Jensen Huang from President Trump’s China state visit serves as a reminder that the US-China relationship is complex and multifaceted. While some may see this snub as a minor setback, others view it as a significant development that highlights the deep-seated tensions between the two nations. As we move forward, it’s essential to keep a close eye on this issue, as it has far-reaching implications for the global tech industry.
The future of high-end AI chips in China remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the US will not be willing to compromise on its concerns regarding dual-use technologies and their potential use in military programs. The absence of Jensen Huang from Trump’s entourage serves as a strong signal from Washington, highlighting the complexities of the US-China trade tensions.
In conclusion, the exclusion of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang from President Trump’s China state visit is a significant development that highlights the growing rift between the two nations. As tensions continue to rise, it’s essential for both sides to engage in constructive dialogue and find mutually beneficial solutions. The future of high-end AI chips in China remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the US will not be willing to compromise on its stance regarding dual-use technologies.
With this snub, we are reminded that the US-China relationship is complex and multifaceted. While some may see this as a minor setback, others view it as a significant development that highlights the deep-seated tensions between the two nations. As we move forward, it’s essential to keep a close eye on this issue, as it has far-reaching implications for the global tech industry.
The US-China trade tensions are likely to continue to simmer in the background for some time, with each side trying to find common ground while maintaining its stance on key issues. The future of high-end AI chips in China remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the US will not be willing to compromise on its concerns regarding dual-use technologies.
The snub of Jensen Huang from President Trump’s China state visit serves as a reminder that the US-China relationship is complex and multifaceted. With access to high-end AI chips becoming increasingly difficult for Chinese companies, they are being forced to rely on alternative solutions. However, this is a challenging and resource-intensive process that requires significant investments of time and money.
As we move forward, it’s essential to keep a close eye on this issue, as it has significant implications for the global tech industry. The future of high-end AI chips in China remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the US will not be willing to compromise on its stance regarding dual-use technologies.