Slate News What Next TBD | Trump Dips into NVIDIA’s Chips
Aug 15, 2025
Amrith Ramkumar, a tech and crypto policy reporter for The Wall Street Journal, dives into the high-stakes world of NVIDIA and its CEO, Jensen Huang. He discusses how Huang is charmingly navigating politics while selling powerful chips abroad, especially to China. The conversation touches on the implications of this tech diplomacy for U.S.-China relations and raises questions about legal challenges surrounding export agreements. Additionally, the podcast highlights the broader impact of artificial intelligence on global dynamics and job markets.
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GPUs Became Strategic Diplomacy Tools
- NVIDIA's GPUs went from niche gaming hardware to strategic A.I. infrastructure nearly overnight.
- Jensen Huang now operates as an informal diplomat balancing U.S.-China tech tensions.
Huang Drew A Diagram For Trump
- Jensen Huang personally lobbied President Trump and sketched a diagram to persuade him on tariffs.
- That charm offensive helped secure Trump's approval for NVIDIA sales to China.
Deal Resembles An Export Fee
- The White House deal requires NVIDIA to give the U.S. a share of Chinese H20 sales in exchange for export licenses.
- Legal experts warn this resembles an unconstitutional export fee and raises major legal hurdles.