AMD Cleared To Join Nvidia And Resume Selling Some Underpowered AI Chips To China

The US government has cleared AMD to resume exporting some accelerators to China.

"We were recently informed by the Department of Commerce that license applications to export MI308 products to China will be moving forward for review," AMD told The Register.

"We plan to resume shipments as licenses are approved. We applaud the progress made by the Trump Administration in advancing trade negotiations and its commitment to US AI leadership."

AMD’s clearance came a day after the US government allowed Nvidia to start selling some underpowered accelerators to China.

Washington long ago blocked Nvidia, AMD, and other US semiconductor firms from selling their most powerful products to China, citing national security concerns.

Tech firms responded by creating less powerful products to sell into China – the MI308 is an example of such offerings as it is considerably less capable than other models in AMD’s MI300 Series products.

Washington allowed exports of those devices, but in April 2025 changed its policy and banned the sale of even modest accelerators like the MI308.

After some intense lobbying from the chip industry, which stood to lose billions in revenue, Washington reversed its decision and will again allow sale of some GPUs to China.

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AMD's stock price rose nearly seven percent today. Nvidia shares popped five percent, too.

The decision to allow export of modestly-specced GPUs reflects recent thawing in China/US relations amid ongoing trade negotiations. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday reportedly said the two countries are in a “very good place” as the clock counts down to August 12, a day on which a current tariff pause will expire if the two countries don’t reach a deal. ®