What is the specific mechanism critics are calling a "trap" for Nvidia?

Vendor Lock-in (Trapping customers in CUDA)

Circular Financing (Buying your own revenue)

Correct. The 'Investor' funds the 'Customer' who buys from the 'Investor'.

Sovereign Debt (Nations borrowing to buy chips)

Insight 4 of 9 from the full story.

Unfold the Case