AiBotTaipei, Taiwan – Amid ongoing tensions between the US and China, the supply of high-tech components from Taiwanese and American companies to major Chinese technology firm Huawei continues to attract attention. Recently, during an investor conference in Taipei, NVIDIA Co-founder and CEO Jensen Huang faced questioning on whether the company would consider selling its chips to Huawei.
The inquiry was posed by a local reporter, who cited the ongoing trade restrictions imposed on Huawei by the United States government. These restrictions limit Huawei’s access to essential components, such as semiconductors from companies like NVIDIA and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). China has responded with retaliatory measures, further escalating the trade row.
However, when the reporter asked Huang specifically if NVIDIA would sell its chips to Huawei, the CEO seemed taken aback by the question. “That’s a strange question,” Huang replied with a hint of ambiguity. “We are a global company, and we work with many customers around the world.”
This response was seen as a carefully-worded attempt to sidestep a direct answer. Huang did not explicitly rule out the possibility of selling NVIDIA chips to Huawei but failed to provide any clear indication that the company would reconsider its stance on the matter.
When further pressed by the reporter on whether NVIDIA would comply with any future requests from the US government to limit chip supplies to Huawei, Huang emphasized the importance of adherence to international trade regulations and US laws. “We are in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations,” he stated.
Despite the ambiguity surrounding NVIDIA’s stance on chip supplies to Huawei, experts believe that the company’s position on the matter is likely unchanged. In the past, NVIDIA has publicly stated its commitment to working within the bounds of US regulations, which currently restrict the sale of sensitive components to Huawei.
Meanwhile, tensions between the US and China continue to escalate, with both sides imposing retaliatory trade measures on each other. The outcome of these measures and their impact on the tech industry remain unclear. One thing, however, is certain: any potential decision by NVIDIA on chip supplies to Huawei will likely have far-reaching implications for the global semiconductor market and the company’s standing within it.