Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang joins Tsinghua University's advisory board, maintaining crucial ties with China amid strained semiconductor relations. Huang, who recently accompanied Trump to China, accepted an invitation to the prestigious SEM board that includes tech leaders like Apple's Tim Cook, Elon Musk, and Microsoft's Satya Nadella.

The move comes as Nvidia faces significant restrictions in China, where its advanced chips remain largely barred. China once accounted for a fifth of Nvidia's global revenue, and Huang recently acknowledged the company has "largely conceded" the market to domestic competitors like Huawei despite posting strong quarterly results.

Tsinghua's advisory board serves as a rare forum connecting US and Chinese corporate leaders amid deepening decoupling. The 65-member board meets annually in Beijing, creating a back channel between Chinese policymakers and global executives. Huang's board position suggests Nvidia continues seeking relationships in China despite export controls limiting its market access.