Nvidia tells cloud partners most of their customers must be outside China

Nvidia, the world's biggest chipmaker, has told cloud computing companies that most of their customers must be outside China. The Financial Times reported the order on November 3, 2026. It applies to providers that rent out access to Nvidia's powerful chips.

What changed

Cloud providers own huge rooms of computers, called data centers, and rent out their power by the hour or month. Many of those machines run on Nvidia chips. Under the reported rule, a majority of each provider's clients must be non-Chinese. In other words, China-based customers cannot make up most of the business.

Who it affects

The direct targets are the cloud companies that rent out Nvidia chips. Their Chinese customers could also feel it. Everyone else who rents computing power for AI tools may be touched indirectly, since providers could change who they serve and how they price and allocate capacity.

What is not known yet

The material available does not say which providers received the order. It also does not say when the rule takes effect, how Nvidia will check compliance, or what happens to companies that miss the target. It is also unclear whether prices or availability will actually change.

What to do

• If your business rents AI computing power, ask your provider whether this affects your plan.
• Watch for price or availability notices over the coming weeks.
• Avoid locking into long contracts until the details are clearer.