# Moonshot AI Seeks European Data Centers to Access Nvidia Chips Chinese AI lab explores foreign compute capacity to bypass domestic hardware export restrictions. - **Source:** [Tom's Hardware](https://www.tomshardware.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [technology](https://brifing.si/c/technology) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/27c9cede-f2da-4e14-8e78-98897e5e103f ## Strategic Shift to Europe Moonshot AI, the developer behind the Kimi model, is reportedly negotiating with European data centers to secure high-performance computing resources. The Chinese lab aims to lease clusters containing at least 8,000 Nvidia Blackwell GPUs. This move highlights an aggressive strategy to maintain model training capabilities despite strict international trade restrictions. ## Navigating Export Restrictions The United States has implemented rigorous export bans preventing Chinese firms from directly purchasing advanced Nvidia AI chips. These regulations aim to curb China's progress in frontier AI development. However, current loopholes allow companies to bypass these hardware barriers by renting compute capacity from foreign data centers that possess the prohibited technology. ## Legislative Pressure Mounting The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Remote Access Security Act to close these existing loopholes. The bill still requires approval from the Senate and the White House to become law. If enacted, this legislation would significantly restrict the ability of Chinese labs to utilize foreign-based hardware for their AI training. ## Domestic Market Complications While the U.S. government previously allowed the export of Nvidia H200 chips to China, Beijing has countered by blocking these imports at its own borders. This domestic policy shift forces Chinese AI companies to seek external solutions. Consequently, firms like Moonshot are increasingly dependent on international infrastructure to sustain their competitive research. ## Capacity Limits and Constraints Nvidia has reportedly instructed its global data center clients to limit business with Chinese entities. Specifically, these providers are advised to ensure that no more than 49% of their total capacity serves Chinese firms. This directive creates a narrow window for labs like Moonshot to secure the necessary compute power for their projects. ## The AI Arms Race The United States and China remain locked in a high-stakes AI arms race. Despite hardware limitations, Chinese labs have managed to keep their open-weight models within months of frontier U.S. performance. These models, including Kimi K3, are noted for being easier to run and more cost-effective, challenging the current global technological status quo. ## Future Regulatory Outlook Public reports regarding Moonshot's activities may accelerate the passage of the Remote Access Security Act. Bipartisan support for the bill suggests that Washington is prepared to tighten control over cloud-based AI access. Such developments could fundamentally alter how international AI labs collaborate with foreign data center providers in the coming years. ## Implications for Global Tech The ongoing struggle for hardware access underscores the critical role of compute infrastructure in modern AI development. As nations attempt to control the flow of advanced technology, companies are forced to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes. The outcome of these negotiations will likely influence the future trajectory of global AI innovation and research. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/policy/chinese-ai-lab-moonshot-reportedly-looked-at-european-data-centers-to-access-nvidia-chips-report-claims-kimi-maker-primarily-interested-in-inferencing-capacity-but-also-asked-about-training-clusters — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._