China banned RTX 5090D V2 while Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was visiting

In a significant development in the ongoing tech rivalry between the United States and China, Beijing has officially banned the RTX 5090D V2 gaming chip from Nvidia. This decision coincided with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's visit to China alongside former President Donald Trump, underscoring the tense climate surrounding AI and semiconductor technology. The ban, which was confirmed through a document reviewed by the Financial Times and corroborated by multiple sources, occurred last Friday when the chip was added to a list of prohibited items at customs checkpoints in China. This move illustrates China's commitment to limiting the entry of Nvidia's products, particularly those modified to adhere to U.S. export regulations. China aims to bolster its domestic semiconductor industry, focusing on companies like Huawei and Cambricon, as they strive to compete with their American counterparts. The RTX 5090D V2, launched last August, was designed specifically for the Chinese market, catering to gamers and 3D animators, while also attracting AI developers who have been restricted from accessing Nvidia's more advanced offerings. Despite the restrictions, Huang expressed optimism during an interview with Bloomberg TV, suggesting that the Chinese market might eventually reopen to American chip manufacturers. "My sense is that over time, the market will open," he stated, hinting at potential future opportunities. Additionally, other Nvidia products, including the H200 and H20, which were tailored for the Chinese market, have faced similar bans, despite the Trump administration having permitted sales to major Chinese tech companies such as Alibaba and Tencent. This situation highlights the complexities and challenges faced by foreign tech companies operating in China amidst the geopolitical landscape.