US tech giant Nvidia stands accused of handing America’s AI edge directly to China’s military through technical aid to a Chinese firm.
Story Snapshot
- The House Select Committee on China reveals that Nvidia provided key technical assistance to DeepSeek in 2024.
- DeepSeek’s 2025 AI breakthroughs rival US systems using far less power, despite export controls on advanced chips.
- The Trump Administration approved restricted H200 chip sales to China, balancing commerce with security amid ongoing tensions.
- Rep. John Moolenaar demands stricter controls, warning chip sales to Chinese firms inevitably aid military end-users.
- Nvidia defends actions as routine support to a commercial partner, claiming China has ample domestic chips for military needs.
Allegations Surface from Congressional Probe
House Select Committee on China Chairman Rep. John Moolenaar sent a formal letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick detailing Nvidia’s technical assistance to DeepSeek. Committee documents show Nvidia helped refine AI models in 2024. DeepSeek released these models in early 2025, matching top US performance with minimal computing power. Moolenaar argues this aid empowered China’s military AI capabilities, undermining US export controls designed to limit Beijing’s tech advances.
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Nvidia’s Defense Amid National Security Concerns
Nvidia counters that China possesses millions of excess domestic chips for military use, making reliance on US tech illogical. The company treated DeepSeek as a legitimate partner with no known military ties at the time of support. Rep. Moolenaar rejects this, stating even the world’s top firm cannot guarantee non-military use in China. He insists sales to civilian entities inevitably violate end-use restrictions. This clash exposes risks when corporate profits clash with safeguarding American defense advantages against CCP aggression.
Trump Administration Navigates Chip Sales Policy
The Trump Administration approved Nvidia H200 chip sales to China, restricting them from entities aiding the military. Chinese regulators greenlit 400,000 units for three internet firms, with more pending. This move balances US market access against security, reflecting Trump’s pragmatic approach to countering China’s semiconductor push. Critics worry enforcement gaps allow diversion to PLA applications.
Historical context reveals Nvidia sold H800 chips, tailored for China, before 2023 export bans. DeepSeek leveraged such tech for AI leaps, fueling Washington doubts over control efficacy. National security advocates demand rigorous licensing to block tech transfers that erode US military edges.
NEW 🚨 US lawmakers say Nvidia AI tech ‘powering China’s military’ https://t.co/XkBuDPoRqp
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) January 30, 2026
Implications for US Tech Leadership
Short-term, Nvidia faces heightened compliance scrutiny and potential curbs on China dealings. Long-term, ineffective controls risk US AI dominance loss as China accelerates self-sufficiency. Global markets may split along geopolitical lines, harming American firms. This saga underscores tensions between globalization profits and protecting conservative priorities like strong national defense. Trump’s team must tighten rules without crippling innovation that keeps America first.
Sources:
Nvidia Helped DeepSeek Hone AI Models Later Used by China’s Military
Nvidia provided technical assistance to DeepSeek, US lawmakers say
China approves first Nvidia H200 AI chip shipments
The B30A Decision
US lawmakers accuse Nvidia of powering China’s military AI
Trump Administration Actions on Advanced AI Semiconductors
