Beijing has begun instructing domestic cloud-computing and internet companies to suspend or sharply cut orders for Nvidia’s H20 artificial-intelligence chip, the Financial Times reported, citing people briefed on the discussions. The directives target the only Nvidia processor still legally available in China after successive rounds of U.S. export controls. The move comes days after U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Chinese companies were "addicted to the American technology stack" and would struggle to develop high-end semiconductors without U.S. know-how. Senior Chinese officials deemed the remarks insulting and initiated a regulatory review that could effectively bar the H20 from the mainland market, according to the report. Chinese tech groups have already delayed or downsized planned purchases of the H20, potentially undermining Nvidia’s efforts to maintain a foothold in the world’s largest AI market. While Beijing has not announced a formal ban, the informal curbs underscore the increasing politicisation of advanced-chip trade as Washington and Beijing escalate their technology rivalry.