Symbolic imageCommerce cleared Nvidia H200 handlers with sanction ties, NYT finds
The US Commerce Department approved Chinese firms with empty offices or links to blacklisted entities to handle Nvidia's H200 chips, the New York Times reported on Saturday.
According to the NYT investigation, one approved firm is New Matrix, founded 17 months ago, whose registered office outside Beijing looked vacant to reporters, with exposed wiring and no record at the building or park management. Corporate records link its owners to Wise Road, a private equity fund blacklisted in 2024. Two analysts told the paper New Matrix could be a front for companies tied to that fund. The NYT describes a wider pattern of approved firms with links to restricted entities. Approvals reportedly cover about two dozen companies, including Baidu, BYD and Tesla Shanghai; Reuters earlier reported Alibaba, Tencent, ByteDance and ZTE Kangxun.
How the sales work
The Trump administration allowed H200 sales to China in December 2025. Chips made in Taiwan must pass through the US, so Washington can collect a 25% tariff. Per people cited by the NYT, firms may buy tens of thousands each but have not reached those limits.
Oversight disputed
Liza Tobin, former China director at the White House National Security Council, told the NYT she doubts that Commerce or Nvidia is doing the needed due diligence. Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security says it reviews applications for security risks, imposed $324 million in export penalties in 2025 and hired more than 90 enforcement officers in 2026.