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Sen. Coons Questions Lutnick on Nvidia Chip Sales to China

Senator Chris Coons questioned Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over the export of Nvidia's H200 AI chips to China following a Senate hearing. Coons pointed out a contradiction between Lutnick's testimony—that no chips had been sold—and earlier statements by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who indicated approvals for such sales. Coons expressed deep concern that these exports pose a national security risk, especially ahead of a potential presidential visit to China. He formally demanded that the Commerce Department provide specific data on licensed, shipped, and planned H200 chip exports to China.

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Sen. Coons Questions Lutnick on Nvidia Chip Sales to China

Senator Chris Coons has publicly questioned Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick regarding the sale of Nvidia's H200 AI chips to China, citing discrepancies in official statements.

Senate Hearing Context

On April 22, 2026, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies regarding fiscal year 2027 budget requests. During this hearing, Senator Coons pressed Lutnick concerning the export of Nvidia's H200 chips to China, as reported by CNBC.

Contradictory Statements on Chip Sales

During the hearing, Lutnick stated his understanding was that the U.S. had not yet sold any H200 chips to Chinese companies. Specifically, he told Coons, "We have not sold them any chips as of yet."

However, Coons's subsequent letter highlighted a contradiction with earlier remarks made by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Huang had previously told reporters in March that Nvidia had secured approvals from both the U.S. and Chinese governments to sell H200 chips to China.

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Coons noted this discrepancy in his correspondence, stating, "Your statements before the committee appear to contradict Huang's comments."

National Security Concerns and Data Requests

Coons, who also serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent the letter weeks before President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit China to meet with President Xi Jinping. The Trump administration in 2025 had previously informed Nvidia that an export license would be required for chips destined for China and several other nations. Historically, China accounted for at least one-fifth of Nvidia's data center revenue.

Coons expressed continued alarm over the export of H200 chips, asserting that "allowing any companies in China to purchase these products presents a serious risk to our national security and economic leadership."

In his letter, Coons formally requested that Lutnick provide a detailed response within one week, specifically detailing:

  • The number of H200 chips that received export licenses for China.
  • The quantity of chips already shipped to China.
  • The number of additional chips the Commerce Department plans to license for export.

A Commerce Department spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment regarding the matter.

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