AMD CEO visits China as Trump signals possible chip export shift

AMD CEO Lisa Su began her visit to China on December 16, meeting with Lenovo in Beijing, as President Donald Trump signaled possible changes to chip export restrictions affecting China.

China and Hong Kong generated US$6.2 billion in AMD revenue in 2024, about 24% of the total, according to figures cited in media reports.

The visit comes after comments from President Donald Trump indicating that certain chip shipments to China, including from AMD, could be allowed for approved customers under conditions that include a 25% payment to Washington.

US chipmakers, including AMD, have faced tougher market conditions in China due to guidance barring foreign AI chip use in some state-funded data centers.

🔗 Source: South China Morning Post

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Trump’s 25% payment idea lacks a formal export control path

Trump floated a 25% payment to allow AI chip exports to China. The Federal Register and BIS have no rule, license path, or approved customer list to make that work 1 2.
BIS will end the Validated End-User (VEU) program status for Intel Semiconductor (Dalian) Ltd., Samsung China Semiconductor Co. Ltd., and SK hynix Semiconductor (China) Ltd. The change takes effect December 31, 2025. It also will not license capacity expansion or tech upgrades at semiconductor fabs (fabrication plants) in China 3 4.
No BIS rule defines approved customers, product thresholds, or payment steps. AMD’s China exposure remains subject to the Entity List (the roster of restricted parties) and license policies, with a presumption of denial for many AI or advanced computing Chinese entities. Media reports put China and Hong Kong at about 24% of 2024 revenue 2 1.

Compliance Software as a Service (SaaS) providers could build 25% remittance tools

If BIS sets an approved customer framework, possibly via VEU or a new tier, vendors could ship automated tools for U.S. chip sellers and Chinese buyers 3 5. These would cover screening, licensing, and payments.
VEU revocations at the three Korean-owned fabs will add about 1,000 license applications each year, so demand for export compliance automation will grow 3 5.
Trade finance and logistics firms could build services around any 25% remittance rule for semiconductor original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and distributors with multi-jurisdiction compliance needs.