TLDR
AMD has licenses to export MI308 AI chips to China and will pay 15% fee if shipments resume
CEO Lisa Su made comments at San Francisco tech conference amid ongoing export uncertainty
New bipartisan Senate bill threatens further restrictions on chip exports to China
China pushing state-funded projects to use domestic chips instead of U.S. technology
AMD excluded MI308 China revenue from Q4 guidance due to unclear export timeline
AMD CEO Lisa Su addressed the company’s China export situation at a Wired conference in San Francisco. She confirmed AMD has received licenses to ship MI308 chips to China. The company stands ready to pay a 15% tax if those exports go forward.
The announcement comes as chipmakers navigate complicated trade restrictions. Both AMD and Nvidia continue dealing with uncertainty around China shipments. The world’s two largest economies remain locked in ongoing tech tensions.
President Trump’s administration announced a deal with chip companies in August. AMD and Nvidia could resume certain China shipments under the arrangement. The requirement is a 15% fee paid to the U.S. government.
Legal experts have questioned whether this fee violates constitutional rules. The U.S. Constitution prohibits taxing exports. The debate continues while companies await final decisions.
Senate Bill Adds Pressure
A bipartisan group of senators introduced new legislation Thursday. The bill targets AMD, Nvidia, and other chipmakers. It would restrict exports of advanced chips to China even further.
The Trump administration is also weighing whether to permit Nvidia’s H200 AI chip sales to China. These choices will shape the semiconductor industry’s access to the Chinese market.
AMD designed the MI308 as a downgraded version of its Instinct MI300X series. The chip meets U.S. export control requirements for China sales. Restrictions hit the MI308 and Nvidia’s H20 chip in April.
Missing China Revenue
AMD left out MI308 China revenue when providing Q4 2025 guidance. The omission reflects ongoing uncertainty about when exports might restart. Su expressed gratitude during the earnings call for the licenses AMD has received.
“We have received some licenses for MI308, so we’re appreciative of the administration supporting some licenses for MI308,” Su stated.
China isn’t waiting around for U.S. chipmakers to sort things out. The Chinese government issued new guidance for state-funded data center projects. These projects must now exclusively use domestically produced AI chips.
This policy directly impacts AMD, Nvidia, and Intel. China represents a massive market for U.S. semiconductor companies. Restricted access puts real pressure on revenue growth.
China’s foreign ministry responded Friday to the latest U.S. restrictions. Officials urged the American side to take concrete steps. They want stability in global supply chains maintained.
Wall Street maintains optimism about AMD despite China headwinds. Analysts give the stock a Moderate Buy rating based on 28 Buy and 10 Hold recommendations. The average price target of $284.67 implies 32% upside potential.
Su’s Wired conference comments show AMD’s willingness to work within the fee framework. The company has secured necessary licenses for some MI308 shipments. AMD is prepared to pay the 15% tax when exports get the green light to resume.
The post AMD Stock: CEO Confirms Company Will Pay 15% Tax for China Chip Exports appeared first on Blockonomi.