Nvidia still has not delivered a single H200 accelerator to China, where it is being refused for acceptance

Trump gave approval for the shipment of Nvidia H200 AI accelerators to China in early December.

Export licenses were delayed due to coordination between U.S. agencies and the subsequent refusal by Chinese authorities to purchase the accelerators.

The shipments have not yet taken place.

1. What happened
Step | Action | Key Persons | 12 years
President of the United States Donald Trump gave a principled approval for the export of H200s to China. | Trump | Delay: license negotiations dragged on several months due to bureaucratic procedures within government structures—Ministries of Defense, Export Administration Regulations (EAR) Commission, etc. | China's refusal: Chinese authorities declined to allow domestic companies to purchase accelerators. | PRC Government

2. Position of the U.S. Secretary of Commerce
Secretary Howard Lutnick – Public acknowledgment: in parliamentary hearings he stated that “we have still not sold them those chips.”

- Reason for China’s refusal: officials aim to support local industry and promote their own accelerators.

- Impact on policy: noted that his influence over trade relations is limited. Major decisions are made by Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Trade Representative James Grier.

Attitude toward export restrictions – Not a supporter: Lutnick does not back the initiative for strict high‑technology export controls to China.

- New bill: Proposed in November last year, will be considered in November this year. It provides access to such goods only for close U.S. geopolitical allies.

- Balancing interests: Lutnick stresses the need to consider the complex balance between U.S. and Chinese interests. A full‑scale agreement should set common rules for the movement of goods.

3. Conclusions
1. Approval for shipment was granted, but actual implementation was delayed due to export licenses and China’s refusal.

2. The Commerce Secretary acknowledges the lack of H200 sales to China and explains the reasons for the refusal.

3. Lutnick’s political stance: he does not advocate tightening restrictions but emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to international trade.

Thus, shipments of Nvidia H200s to the PRC remain impossible at present, and further steps will depend on political decisions both within the U.S. and in bilateral relations with China.