Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang expressed disappointment on Friday over the company’s declining market share in China, noting that the world’s second-largest economy remains “simply irreplaceable” for the chip giant. Speaking amid ongoing geopolitical and export-control pressures, Huang said he still hopes Nvidia’s powerful Blackwell AI chips can be sold in China, but stressed that the decision ultimately rests with US President Donald Trump.
Trump said earlier this week that Chinese authorities will speak with Huang regarding chip exports, but clarified that those discussions will not include the Blackwell series — Nvidia’s most advanced AI processors to date.
Huang acknowledged China’s importance, citing the “significant amount of AI research” originating from the market. However, he also accepted that Chinese firms now build “plenty of chips” on their own. He further noted that Beijing does not want US-made chips, such as the Nvidia H20, in any military-related systems due to national security concerns.
Nvidia’s China business has faced pressure following tightening US export controls on advanced AI hardware, allowing Chinese buyers only access to scaled-down models.
The developments underscore the growing complexities in the global semiconductor landscape, with Nvidia balancing regulatory constraints, national security questions, and China’s increasing push for self-reliance in chips and AI systems.
