During a press conference at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nvidia Corporation’s CEO Jensen Huang provided clarity on how the Chinese government’s authorization for the company's latest H200 artificial intelligence chips will become apparent. Huang stated that instead of a formal announcement from Beijing, the approval process will be unveiled subtly through customer purchase orders. This stance indicates that Nvidia does not expect any public declaration or media release confirming the Chinese government’s stance on importing the H200 chips.
"We’re not expecting any press releases or any large declarations," Huang noted. The chief executive explained that the true signal of permission from Chinese authorities will be observable in actual buying behavior by firms within the country, reflecting a discreet, transactional confirmation rather than a public, official pronouncement.
This development unfolds amid Nvidia’s ongoing efforts to secure US government export licenses, which are mandatory for the company to ship its advanced AI hardware to China. Nvidia’s Chief Financial Officer, Colette Kress, remarked earlier that day that US authorities are actively reviewing applications related to the export license requests but that formal approvals have yet to be issued. She emphasized, "We're going to wait and see what will happen," underscoring the uncertainties that still surround the regulatory environment.
Last year’s policy changes under President Donald Trump reversed a prior ban, allowing Nvidia to resume sales of the H200 chips—a forerunner to Nvidia’s forthcoming Blackwell series—to Chinese buyers, albeit under export licensing controls. While this move has paved the way for reengagement with the Chinese market, it has attracted criticism from prominent figures such as former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Chuck Schumer, and former GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, all of whom expressed concerns regarding the broader geopolitical and security implications.
Despite the lingering regulatory hurdles and political debates, Huang conveyed optimism regarding demand from Chinese enterprises. Interest remains robust, indicating the strategic importance and commercial appeal of Nvidia’s AI technologies in China’s expanding digital economy.
Additionally, Nvidia utilized CES to spotlight its latest developments in AI hardware, including chips for the Vera Rubin platform, which represents the company’s next-generation product line. Huang confirmed these new chips are already in manufacturing, reflecting Nvidia's commitment to advancing AI infrastructure technology at scale.
Demand across Nvidia’s entire portfolio of AI chipsets continues to be strong, Huang remarked, forecasting what he described as a "really giant year" ahead in collaboration with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), its key production partner. He further disclosed Nvidia’s ambitious target of achieving up to $500 billion in combined sales from its Blackwell and Vera Rubin platforms by the end of the current calendar year.
On the market front, Nvidia’s shares experienced a slight decline of 0.47% during Tuesday’s regular trading session but showed a modest recovery by gaining 0.49% in after-hours trading according to Benzinga Pro data. Nvidia’s standing in Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings remains high, placing in the 94th percentile for growth metrics and the 98th percentile for quality amongst its peers, reflecting favorable analyst sentiment despite the ongoing regulatory watchfulness.
Key Points:
- Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang indicates Chinese approval for H200 AI chip imports will be confirmed through purchase orders, not official announcements.
- The US government export licenses required for Nvidia to ship H200 chips to China are still pending, with active reviews but no approvals yet.
- Despite political criticism, Nvidia reports strong interest from Chinese companies for its AI chip technology.
- Nvidia is advancing its next-generation Vera Rubin AI chips, which are already in production and contribute to expected robust sales alongside TSMC.
Risks and Uncertainties:
- Delays or denials in obtaining the necessary US export licenses could hinder Nvidia’s ability to supply the Chinese market.
- Political opposition from US lawmakers and international figures may affect future regulatory decisions and market access.
- Absence of formal announcements by Chinese authorities introduces uncertainty in gauging the timing and scale of sales.
- Geopolitical tensions may continue to impact cross-border technology transactions, influencing Nvidia’s strategic forecasts.
Disclosure: This article contains information based on statements made by Nvidia executives and publicly available market data. It does not constitute investment advice.