Top U.S. chipmakers NVIDIA and AMD are gearing up to release specially designed artificial intelligence (AI) GPUs tailored for the Chinese market, in response to tightened U.S. export regulations on advanced semiconductor technology.
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According to a report from Taiwanese tech outlet Digitimes, both companies are preparing to introduce new GPU models that align with current U.S. trade rules, enabling them to maintain a presence in China's booming AI sector despite mounting geopolitical constraints.
NVIDIA to Launch 'B20' AI GPU for China
NVIDIA is planning to roll out a scaled-down version of its AI processor, internally code-named "B20", specifically engineered to comply with U.S. restrictions. This follows news that the company has been working on a cost-effective AI chip built on its next-gen Blackwell architecture, priced in the $6,500 to $8,000 range. That’s significantly lower than its current H20 GPUs, which retail for $10,000 to $12,000.
The new B20 chip is expected to support essential AI tasks while adhering to export limits that prevent the sale of high-performance AI hardware to Chinese firms.
AMD Prepares to Release Radeon AI PRO R9700
Meanwhile, AMD is also entering the arena with a regulatory-friendly option: the Radeon AI PRO R9700, a workstation GPU optimized for AI processing. This chip is designed to satisfy China’s AI computing demands while remaining within the boundaries set by U.S. authorities.
Sales Expected to Begin in China by July
Industry sources cited by Digitimes suggest that both NVIDIA and AMD are on track to start selling these China-specific AI chips as early as July 2025. These launches are seen as critical moves to retain competitiveness in a region that accounts for a significant portion of global AI infrastructure growth.
Revenue Impact of U.S. Export Controls
The shift comes after NVIDIA reported a $4.5 billion financial hit in its latest quarterly results, directly tied to licensing limitations that restricted sales of its H20 chips in China. Additionally, the company was unable to deliver another $2.5 billion worth of H20 inventory during the same period.
Looking ahead, NVIDIA has projected that these export-related licensing requirements could cost the company up to $8 billion in revenue during the second quarter.
Navigating Geopolitical Pressures in the AI Chip Market
As global tensions continue to reshape the tech industry, both NVIDIA and AMD are strategically adapting to safeguard their market positions. Their ability to innovate within regulatory constraints will likely determine how effectively they can continue serving China’s AI demand—while staying compliant with U.S. government mandates.
With the anticipated launch of the NVIDIA B20 and AMD Radeon AI PRO R9700, the two chip giants are not only ensuring market continuity in China but are also signaling a new era of flexible semiconductor development amid geopolitical pressures.
🔑 Key Highlights:
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NVIDIA AI chips for China
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AMD Radeon AI PRO R9700 release
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China-compliant GPUs
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U.S. chip export restrictions
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NVIDIA B20 GPU specs
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AI chip sales in China
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Semiconductor trade regulations
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AMD and NVIDIA AI strategy
