US Commerce Department official: Understand that no H200S have been sold to China yet

US Commerce Department official: Understand that no H200S have been sold to China yet

US Commerce Department Confirms No H200S Chip Sales to China Amid Export Controls
February 24, 2026

A senior official from the US Department of Commerce confirmed on Monday that no H200S advanced semiconductors—manufactured by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)—have been sold to Chinese entities to date, reinforcing existing export restrictions on cutting-edge technology transfers to China [US Department of Commerce statement, February 24, 2026]. The statement comes amid ongoing scrutiny of US policies aimed at curbing Beijing's access to high-performance computing hardware critical for artificial intelligence (AI) and supercomputing applications.

The H200S, part of AMD's next-generation data center GPU lineup, is subject to licensing requirements under the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR), which restrict the sale of advanced semiconductors to Chinese firms deemed to pose national security risks [Export Administration Regulations (EAR), 2026 amendments]. While the Commerce Department did not specify future plans for potential approvals, the official emphasized compliance with current regulations, which prioritize limiting China's access to technologies that could enhance its military or surveillance capabilities [AMD financial disclosures, Q4 2025 earnings report].

The confirmation follows recent market speculation about possible H200S sales to Chinese cloud providers and research institutions. AMD, which has faced revenue pressures due to tightened export controls, saw its stock dip 1.2% in after-hours trading following the official's remarks, reflecting investor concerns about sustained access to the Chinese market [Bloomberg Market Data, February 24, 2026].

Chinese state media reiterated earlier criticisms of "unfair trade practices," with the Ministry of Commerce stating that Beijing remains committed to developing domestic semiconductor capabilities to reduce reliance on foreign technology [Xinhua News Agency, February 24, 2026]. Analysts note that the absence of H200S sales underscores the broader geopolitical tensions shaping global tech supply chains, with both nations investing heavily in AI and high-performance computing infrastructure.

The Commerce Department's statement aligns with recent actions by the Biden administration to tighten export controls on AI chips, including updated licensing thresholds for advanced GPU shipments [White House National Security Council briefing, January 2026]. Industry observers anticipate continued volatility in semiconductor stocks as policymakers balance national security priorities with economic interests.