Scoop: Lutnick stalled curbing Nvidia chip sales to China — again — after Oval Office showdown
Summary
The article reports that President Donald Trump approved action to curb suspected diversions of Nvidia AI chips to China after a White House meeting, while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick argued against the move. Sources said Lutnick proposed another delay after Trump made the decision; a Commerce Department spokesperson disputed that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confronted Lutnick and did not immediately address the other allegations.Key Facts
- The article says Trump authorized a crackdown on companies suspected of diverting Nvidia chips to China for the third time this year.
- Six sources briefed on or present for the discussions described the events to the article's reporters.
- At a Situation Room meeting, Bessent questioned why Commerce had not implemented export controls, especially on Megaspeed, which the article identifies as central to a suspected chip-smuggling and espionage case.
- Sources said Lutnick warned that export controls could start a trade war with China.
- The article says Trump called tech adviser Elon Musk, who supported imposing the controls, and then told officials to proceed.
- According to sources, Lutnick later said he would develop options and return, while other officials said the decision had already been made.
- The article says Trump approved action on suspected Nvidia chip diversions in May, August, and on November 5, but Commerce officials resisted moving forward.
- A Commerce Department spokesperson denied that Bessent confronted Lutnick and did not immediately comment on the other allegations.
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