US approves AI chip exports to ZTE, others

The United States has granted export licenses to ZTE — ZTE Kangxun Telecom (a unit of ZTE), server maker Maginfra, and Zhuhai Hengqin Yunxiang Zhisheng Network Technology (a subsidiary of Kingsoft) to purchase advanced AI chips from Nvidia and AMD. ZTE Kangxun and Maginfra are permitted to buy Nvidia's H200 chips, while the Kingsoft subsidiary is cleared to use certain AMD chips that compete with the H200. These approvals expand the list of Chinese firms authorized to acquire such technology beyond major internet groups like Alibaba, Tencent, ByteDance, and JD.com, which were cleared in May but had not yet received deliveries due to regulatory reviews in both countries. Some Chinese cloud firms have indicated they may soon obtain H200 chips, suggesting progress in Chinese import reviews. The Trump administration has allowed H200 sales under a licensing system, arguing it promotes U.S. technological dominance, while Nvidia seeks to maintain access to the Chinese market. China continues to promote domestic AI chip alternatives, creating uncertainty about whether approved sales will ultimately proceed.