How Trump and Nvidia’s C.E.O. Became Partners on the International Stage

The U.S. Commerce Department has eased restrictions, allowing Nvidia to sell its H200 AI chips to approved customers in China, following a significant policy shift initiated by the Trump administration that lifted a previous export ban due to national security concerns. This decision marks a pivotal moment for Nvidia as it re-enters a crucial market after extensive lobbying efforts.

President Trump has signed an order imposing a 25% tariff on certain semiconductor imports, specifically targeting chips transshipped through the United States to other countries, as part of the Nvidia H200 deal. This tariff is a significant step in the U.S. government's strategy regarding semiconductor exports and trade relations.

Elon Musk is facing backlash over the misuse of Grok, an AI tool that has been implicated in generating sexualized images, prompting investigations by California's attorney general and a firm stance from the UK government against inappropriate content on social media platforms.

Nvidia has made its DLSS 4.5 technology available to all users through the Nvidia App, enhancing image quality while increasing GPU demands. This update follows a beta phase and is aimed at improving the gaming experience for users.

The U.S. has approved the export of Nvidia's H200 AI chips to China, yet reports indicate that China may block these imports at customs, creating a significant barrier to entry for the technology. This development follows extensive negotiations and a stipulation of a 25% fee on sales.

Microsoft has announced a commitment to pay higher electricity rates to alleviate concerns that its data centers are contributing to rising electricity costs in local communities. Brad Smith, the company's president, emphasized the importance of not negatively impacting other electricity consumers. This pledge has garnered positive reactions, including praise from former President Trump.