Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) is reportedly bracing for a possible U.S. government ban on the sale of its GeForce RTX 5090D graphics cards in China, citing the model’s AI acceleration capabilities as a national security concern. The development adds to mounting tensions between Washington and Beijing over AI hardware and advanced semiconductor technology.

The RTX 5090D, a variant reportedly tailored for the Chinese market, may soon fall under the same export restrictions that previously hit Nvidia’s more powerful AI chips like the H100 and H20. In anticipation, Nvidia has advised its board partners to pause RTX 5090D sales, with some manufacturers — including Colorful and Palit — already halting shipments.

“This is a strategic move to avoid potential legal and regulatory fallout,” said sources close to Nvidia’s supply chain, as reported by Chiphell and Benchlife.

Designed for AI, Not Gaming

A leaked video from Chinese platform Bilibili showcased a blower-style RTX 5090D, optimized for multi-GPU professional AI workstations rather than consumer gaming. The design, with a two-slot layout and rear-mounted power connector, suggests the GPU is targeted at smaller AI labs and startups looking for more affordable AI training hardware.

The model could act as a cost-effective alternative for Chinese firms amid tightening access to advanced chips.

Bigger Picture: U.S.-China Tech Decoupling

The looming RTX 5090D ban fits into a broader geopolitical struggle over AI supremacy and chip supply chains. The U.S. has continued to tighten export controls on semiconductors used in machine learning, surveillance, and defense systems — a policy that has prompted China to retaliate with its own restrictions on rare earth minerals and AI component exports.

With negotiations between U.S. and Asian allies still unresolved, Nvidia’s RTX 5090D may be the latest casualty in an accelerating technology cold war.

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

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