US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has repeatedly delayed efforts to impose stricter export controls on Nvidia's AI chips suspected of being diverted to China, even though President Donald Trump has approved action on several occasions.
Lutnick resisted pressure from Treasury Secretary Scott Bassan and other officials during a meeting in the White House Situation Room. Trump later agreed to move forward with the restrictions after consulting with Elon Musk, who supported the proposal. Lutnick warned the measures could spark a trade war with China, but officials insisted Beijing was already taking similar actions against the United States. Despite Trump's decision to proceed, the restrictions have not yet been implemented. The Commerce Department denied that Bennett confronted Lutnick.