NVIDIA’s H20 chip, intended to re-enter the Chinese market, has become entangled in a complex global tech rivalry. While sales resumed under strict conditions in July following an initial ban, China swiftly raised concerns about the chip’s potential security implications. Beijing’s accusations of backdoor features and tracking capabilities sparked fierce denials from NVIDIA, who emphasized the chip’s commercial AI applications, not government or military use. China’s aggressive response involved urging domestic tech firms to avoid the H20. These actions culminated in a formal national security review, followed by local companies being discouraged from purchasing the chip, signaling Beijing’s push towards self-sufficiency in critical technologies. ;