Chinese companies reportedly considering sourcing H200 chips from the black market as chips held at the border — demand for Nvidia AI GPUs remain high despite political uncertainty

Chinese companies are considering sourcing Nvidia's H200 AI GPUs from the black market due to a ban on imports by Beijing. Customs officials are holding H200 chips at the border, leading buyers to explore illegal channels for acquisition. Despite political uncertainty, demand for these GPUs remains high in China, with some companies resorting to paying a premium for them. The Chinese government aims to boost its domestic semiconductor industry but faces challenges in matching the performance of advanced Western chips like the H200. It is unclear whether Beijing's ban on the H200 is permanent or a negotiating tactic, with upcoming visits by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and President Trump potentially influencing the situation.