Commerce Secretary Lutnick Delays Trump-Ordered Chip Export Crackdown, Axios Reports
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According to Axios, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has postponed the implementation of President Donald Trump's directive to tighten export controls on companies suspected of diverting Nvidia chips to China.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has delayed the rollout of President Donald Trump's third-year crackdown on firms alleged to be channeling Nvidia chips to China, Axios reported on Wednesday citing senior officials. The president had authorized the action after consulting with Elon Musk, but Lutnick reportedly raised objections during a Situation Room meeting attended by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
During the discussion, Bessent questioned Lutnick about resistance within the Commerce Department to the new export controls. Lutnick indicated he would need to verify the decision with the president before proceeding.
Lawmakers have recently urged the administration to adopt stricter measures on chip exports to China and have called on Congress to pass legislation tightening restrictions, following revelations about Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's ties to a Chinese businesswoman suspected of espionage. Reuters earlier reported that the administration had not added any new entities to the trade blacklist since October 2025, marking the longest gap in more than a decade.