US Lawmakers Sound Alarm Over Nvidia Chips Allegedly Powering Chinese Military
A bipartisan group of United States lawmakers has issued a stark warning that advanced artificial intelligence chips manufactured by Nvidia and exported to China are being utilized to enhance Chinese military capabilities. The allegations, made public through official communications and social media posts, have intensified scrutiny over technology exports amid growing national security concerns.
Committee's Allegations: From Civilian AI to Military Applications
In a detailed post on social media platform X, the Select Committee on China, comprising 23 bipartisan members, asserted that Nvidia's sophisticated chips are actively "powering China's military." The committee characterized this situation as a significant security failure on the part of the US government, highlighting what they describe as the inseparable nature of civilian and military technology development in China.
The committee's formal letter to the Department of Commerce and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick states unequivocally: "There's no such thing as 'purely civilian' artificial intelligence company in China." This declaration forms the foundation of their concerns about technology transfer and potential security vulnerabilities.
DeepSeek AI Connection and Military Integration
The lawmakers specifically pointed to Nvidia's relationship with DeepSeek AI, a Chinese artificial intelligence company. According to the committee's findings, Nvidia's products and technical support have enabled DeepSeek's development, which has subsequently been integrated into systems used by the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
"Nvidia's products were used by DeepSeek AI and ended up supporting an AI model used by the PLA," the committee stated. "Military-civil fusion is real, and we must protect our country's technological advantage."
The committee alleges that while Nvidia describes its relationship with DeepSeek as promoting "the AI ecosystem flywheel and improving Nvidia's products," internal documents reveal the company provided "extensive technical support that enabled DeepSeek." This support, according to the lawmakers, has been incorporated into PLA systems and presents demonstrated cybersecurity risks.
Call for Stricter Export Controls and Enforcement
Based on these findings, the committee has called for rigorous enforcement of existing export regulations, specifically mentioning the Department of Commerce's H200 export rule. This regulation requires certification that exported chips will not serve military purposes.
"These findings demonstrate why rigorous enforcement of the Department's H200 export rule is essential—even if such enforcement effectively prevents H200 exports to the PRC altogether," the letter emphasized.
The committee further alleged that DeepSeek routes Americans' data to the Chinese government "through infrastructure tied to a US-designated Chinese military company." They cited a Jamestown Foundation report from October 2025 that referenced PLA procurement documents indicating the Chinese military's use of homegrown AI systems including DeepSeek, with plans for broader operational integration.
Nvidia's Response and Broader Context
In response to these allegations, a spokesperson for California-based Nvidia told AFP: "China has more than enough domestic chips for all of its military applications, with millions to spare." The company further argued that "it makes no sense for the Chinese military to depend on American technology" and suggested that "the administration's critics are unintentionally promoting the interests of foreign competitors."
This controversy unfolds against a complex backdrop of US-China trade tensions and evolving technology policies. A Financial Times report in mid-January indicated that suppliers for components of Nvidia's H200 chips had paused production after Chinese customs officials blocked shipments of the AI processors into the country.
Notably, US President Donald Trump approved Nvidia's sale of H200 AI processors to China in December 2025 following extensive lobbying from the company, its CEO Jensen Huang, and various AI sector stakeholders. However, current developments suggest increasing barriers to this trade relationship.
Market Implications and Future Uncertainties
According to sources cited in the Financial Times report, Chinese customs authorities informed a logistics company in Shenzhen that Nvidia's H200 chips are not permitted entry into the country. No specific reason was provided for this blockage, nor was there clarification about whether this represents a temporary measure or permanent ban.
The report further indicated that domestic Chinese technology companies have been advised against purchasing Nvidia chips and encouraged to prioritize domestic alternatives instead. This development creates significant uncertainty for Nvidia, which had reportedly increased production to fulfill over 1 million orders from Chinese clients following US approval in December.
Deliveries originally scheduled for March now face suspension amid these customs restrictions, creating business uncertainty for both Nvidia and its Chinese customers.
Key Implications and Broader Significance
- National Security Scrutiny: The US government is intensifying examination of technology exports to China amid persistent concerns about military applications and technology transfer.
- Business-Government Tensions: Nvidia's extensive lobbying efforts illustrate the complex relationship between corporate interests and national security priorities in international technology trade.
- Trade Relationship Uncertainty: The blocking of shipments raises fundamental questions about the future trajectory of US-China technology trade and cooperation in artificial intelligence development.
- Global Technology Competition: These developments highlight the intensifying competition between the United States and China in critical technology sectors, with artificial intelligence representing a particularly strategic battlefield.
The situation continues to evolve as policymakers, technology companies, and international observers monitor how export controls, national security concerns, and business interests will be balanced in this high-stakes technological landscape.
