Nvidia CEO: China Has Not Approved H200 Imports, Zero Orders to Date

Nvidia (NVDA-US) CEO Jensen Huang stated on January 29, 2026, that China has not yet approved imports of its H200 AI chips, resulting in zero orders from Chinese clients. He contradicted prior Reuters reports claiming Beijing had greenlit shipments of hundreds of thousands of H200 units. Huang said during a Taipei briefing: “We’re waiting patiently — approval timing rests entirely with Chinese authorities.” He confirmed recent meetings with Chinese officials and clients but no finalized deals. Sources indicate regulators have signaled major firms like Alibaba to prepare orders, suggesting imminent clearance. The H200, an earlier-gen AI chip permitted for export under U.S. rules, is “well-suited” for China’s market, Huang noted. Final U.S. export licensing is nearing completion. Nvidia aims to reclaim share in the world’s largest semiconductor market amid ongoing restrictions on cutting-edge chips. TSMC (2330-TW), Nvidia’s key foundry partner, must “significantly expand capacity” over the next decade to meet demand.