• Jensen Huang, Nvidia's CEO, was not invited and will not travel to Beijing during the Trump-Xi summit, according to a source familiar with the matter.
  • The absence underscores ongoing tensions over US export controls on advanced chips to China, a key market for Nvidia.
  • The move highlights the delicate balance between diplomatic outreach and tech sector restrictions.

Nvidia Corp. Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang was not invited and is not planning to accompany President Donald Trump on a potential trip to Beijing for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to a person familiar with the matter. The exclusion of the semiconductor titan’s leader underscores the strained ties between the US and China over advanced technology exports.

Huang, who has previously visited China for business engagements, will not be part of any delegation as Trump and Xi explore renewed dialogue, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss private arrangements. Representatives for Nvidia and the White House declined to comment.

The decision comes amid heightened scrutiny on Nvidia’s sales of AI chips to China, with the US Commerce Department tightening export controls on products like the H100 and upcoming Blackwell processors (HPE). Nvidia has sought to navigate these restrictions by developing compliant chips for the Chinese market, though revenue from the region has been impacted.

“Without Huang’s presence, the industry reads this as a signal that chip export issues remain a sticking point,” said a senior analyst at a Washington-based policy group, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. “It suggests the business community isn’t fully aligned with the diplomatic track.”

The summit, expected to cover trade, tariffs, and technology, faces a fragile backdrop as both sides eye a potential thaw. Trump has signaled openness to a deal, while Xi has emphasized China’s push for self-reliance in semiconductors.

Nvidia has become a central player in the AI arms race, with its GPUs powering everything from data centers to autonomous vehicles. The Santa Clara, California-based company reported $60.9 billion in revenue for fiscal 2025, with China accounting for roughly 15% of sales, down from over 25% prior to export curbs.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the timing of Trump's planned travel. The trip is not yet confirmed.