NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang speaks during the Live Keynote Pregame during the Nvidia GTC (GPU Technology Conference) in Washington, DC, on Oct. 28, 2025.
Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images
Nvidia (NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang declared at the company’s GTC conference held in Washington D.C. this week that its Blackwell graphics processing units (GPUs), the company’s flagship AI accelerators, are now in full production at its Arizona facility. This marks a significant shift in Nvidia’s manufacturing strategy, as previously its most advanced GPUs were solely produced in Taiwan. The move resonates deeply with ongoing geopolitical shifts and the push for domestic chip production.
Huang revealed that former President Donald Trump had requested, months prior, the repatriation of semiconductor manufacturing to U.S. soil. “The first thing that President Trump asked me for is bring manufacturing back,” Huang stated. “Bring manufacturing back because it’s necessary for national security. Bring manufacturing back because we want the jobs. We want that part of the economy.”
Earlier in October, Nvidia and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) announced that the initial Blackwell wafers had been fabricated at a facility in Phoenix, Arizona. Wafers are the fundamental building blocks upon which semiconductors are constructed. This collaboration seeks to marry TSMC’s advanced manufacturing prowess with Nvidia’s design expertise to create a robust supply chain within the United States.
Nvidia further elaborated in a released video that Blackwell-based systems will undergo final assembly within the U.S., reflecting a commitment to end-to-end domestic production. This development is particularly timely, given the global focus on supply chain resilience and the strategic importance of semiconductor independence.
The timing and location of the GTC conference in Washington D.C. signal Nvidia’s intention to engage directly with U.S. policymakers, emphasizing the company’s pivotal role in the nation’s technological infrastructure. This strategic positioning underscores Nvidia’s efforts to navigate complex political landscapes and potential export restrictions.
While Huang stated that the Washington D.C. location was strategically chosen to accommodate a potential visit from President Trump –who was traveling in Asia, Trump has confirmed plans to meet with Huang.
The demand for Nvidia’s GPUs remains exceptionally high. The company reported shipments of 6 million Blackwell GPUs over the past four quarters, with projections indicating a staggering $500 billion in GPU sales encompassing both the Blackwell generation and the upcoming Rubin architecture. This forecast underscores the exponential growth trajectory of the AI hardware market and Nvidia’s dominant position within it.
Cell Networks ‘Built on Foreign Technologies’
In a strategic move to bolster U.S. telecommunications infrastructure, Nvidia announced a partnership with Finland-based Nokia involving a significant $1 billion investment in Nokia. Nvidia will be providing its chips for 5G and 6G base stations, aiming to bring American technology back to the forefront of wireless networks.
“Our fundamental communication fabric is built on foreign technologies,” Huang said, emphasizing the importance of securing this critical infrastructure. Nokia, as one of the primary equipment vendors for U.S. networks, will leverage Nvidia technology in its future deployments.
Nokia will utilize Nvidia’s new product, Nvidia ARC, combining its Grace CPU, a Blackwell GPU, and networking components. Huang emphasized the potential of AI delivered over next-generation 6G networks, particularly in areas such as robotics and precision weather forecasting.
Stakes are High
Nvidia’s presence in Washington D.C. underscores its argument that it is a core component of the U.S. technology stack. The company is advocating for policies that allow U.S. AI developers to leverage Nvidia’s technology, fostering competition and innovation. Kari Briski, Nvidia’s vice president of generative AI software for enterprise, emphasized Nvidia’s commitment to building the U.S. AI infrastructure.
U.S. export restrictions have already impacted Nvidia’s financials, with substantial losses reported due to limitations on sales to China. In the face of these challenges, Nvidia is actively working to navigate regulatory hurdles and maintain its global market presence.
Earlier this month, Huang addressed the changes and stated that Nvidia is currently “100% out of China” and has no market share there. The company awaits further guidance and licenses for its H20 chip and other adaptations.
Quantum Computing
To advance the United States’ lead in quantum computing, Nvidia is partnering with a number of companies. NVQLink, a new way to connect quantum chips to Nvidia’s GPUs, is one of the partnerships. Military officials are concerned that a foreign adversary may be able to spy on miliatry communications if it establishes a working quantum computer first.
Nvidia says it will also partner with the Department of Energy to build seven new supercomputers.
