Hu Xiu·2025-08-16 14:00Core Points - The article discusses a groundbreaking agreement between Nvidia and AMD with the Trump administration, allowing them to sell specific AI chips to China while paying 15% of their revenue to the U.S. government [1][8][12] - This agreement signifies a shift in the rules of the U.S.-China tech war, moving from a regulatory framework to a more transactional approach [4][76] Group 1: Agreement Details - The agreement requires Nvidia and AMD to pay 15% of their revenue from sales of specific AI chips in China to the U.S. government [8][9] - This payment is characterized as a "protection fee" rather than a tax or fine, marking a departure from traditional export control practices [2][10] - The agreement allows these companies to obtain long-sought export licenses, fundamentally altering the U.S. export control system [9][10] Group 2: Political and Strategic Implications - The agreement reflects a personal negotiation style of Trump, reducing a significant policy decision to a casual deal-making process [12][13] - It raises concerns about the legality of such a revenue-sharing model, as it may violate constitutional prohibitions against export taxes [51][52] - The agreement has sparked bipartisan criticism in the U.S. Congress, indicating a rare consensus on its potential dangers [46][50] Group 3: Financial Impact on Companies - Nvidia's revenue from China was approximately $17 billion, while AMD's was around $6.2 billion, making the 15% fee a substantial cost [34] - Despite the high cost, the agreement is seen as a preferable alternative to losing access to the Chinese market entirely [36][42] - The market reaction to the news was muted, suggesting that investors had already factored in the political risks associated with the agreement [43][45] Group 4: China's Response - China has advised its companies to avoid using the newly permitted chips due to security concerns, potentially undermining the agreement's effectiveness [61][63] - The Chinese semiconductor industry is rapidly advancing, with local alternatives like Huawei's Ascend 910B chip emerging as competitors to Nvidia's offerings [66][72] - The coordinated response from the Chinese government and industry associations emphasizes the urgency for domestic investment and self-sufficiency in technology [71][72] Group 5: Future Implications - The agreement represents a shift from containment to extraction in U.S. trade policy, allowing technology flow in exchange for financial compensation [77][79] - This new model may set a precedent for future negotiations in various strategic sectors, leading to increased uncertainty in global supply chains [84][85] - The long-term effects of this agreement could destabilize the international trade system, pushing it towards a more fragmented and power-driven landscape [86][87]