Nvidia’s H20 AI chips may be spared from export controls — for now

Tech Crunch - Apr 9th, 2025

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has reportedly negotiated a deal with the Trump administration to avoid export restrictions on Nvidia's H20 AI chips to China. This agreement, made during a dinner at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, involved Huang's promise to invest in new AI data centers in the U.S. While Nvidia declined to comment, the semiconductor industry had feared the H20 chips were set for restrictions due to their use by China-based DeepSeek in training its R1 AI model, which competes strongly with U.S. models.

The deal appears to contradict the Trump administration's objective of securing U.S. dominance in AI, especially as other export rules remain in place from the Biden administration, imposing limits on nearly all foreign countries. This move adds complexity to the AI export landscape, where companies like OpenAI and Microsoft have pledged significant investments in U.S. infrastructure, aligning with Trump's 'America-first' approach. Nvidia, however, has criticized these export guidelines, suggesting they could hinder global innovation.

Donald Trump Nvidia Jensen Huang Deep Seek Ai Data Centers H20 Ai Chips Export Restrictions R1 Ai Model

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RATING

5.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article presents a timely and relevant topic concerning Nvidia's alleged deal with the Trump administration to avoid export restrictions on AI chips. While the narrative is clear and the issue is of significant public interest, the story suffers from a lack of verified information and direct sources. The reliance on unnamed sources and the absence of direct quotes from Nvidia or the Trump administration undermine the article's credibility. Additionally, the story lacks a balanced representation of perspectives, focusing primarily on Nvidia's viewpoint without exploring the broader implications or opposing views. Despite these weaknesses, the article has the potential to engage readers and provoke discussions about U.S. technology policy, international trade, and the future of AI development. However, the impact of the story may be limited by the need for further verification and evidence to substantiate its claims.

Accuracy

The article presents several key claims that require verification, such as the alleged deal between Nvidia and the Trump administration to avoid export restrictions on H20 AI chips. The story lacks direct confirmation from Nvidia or the Trump administration, as Nvidia declined to comment. The claim that the deal was made during a dinner at Mar-a-Lago needs corroboration. Additionally, the article mentions the use of H20 chips by DeepSeek and the performance of the R1 AI model, which are not substantiated with evidence. While the article aligns with some known facts, such as Nvidia's criticism of export rules, it relies heavily on unnamed sources and lacks direct evidence for its central claims.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on Nvidia's perspective and the alleged interactions with the Trump administration, without providing a balanced view of the broader implications or perspectives from other stakeholders, such as the U.S. government, other AI companies, or industry experts. The lack of comments from Nvidia and the Trump administration results in an incomplete representation of viewpoints. Furthermore, the article does not explore potential opposition to the deal or the rationale behind the export restrictions, which could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, presenting the information in a straightforward manner. The narrative follows a logical flow, detailing the alleged deal, the implications for Nvidia and the U.S. AI industry, and the broader context of export restrictions. While the article is easy to follow, the lack of specific evidence and direct quotes may lead to some confusion regarding the veracity of the claims.

Source quality

The article relies on unnamed sources for its major claims, such as the deal between Nvidia and the Trump administration, which undermines the credibility of the information. The lack of direct quotes or statements from Nvidia or government officials further diminishes source reliability. While the article references NPR, it does not provide specific citations or evidence to substantiate the claims made. This reliance on indirect sources without clear attribution affects the overall trustworthiness of the reporting.

Transparency

The article does not adequately disclose the sources of its information, particularly concerning the alleged deal and the specifics of the Mar-a-Lago meeting. There is no explanation of the methodology used to gather information, nor are potential conflicts of interest addressed. The lack of transparency in sourcing and the absence of direct quotes or evidence leave readers with unanswered questions about the basis of the claims made.