Trump controls Nvidia chip for the third time

According to people familiar with the matter,trump The President authorized an investigation on the 5th into Nvidia’s alleged useHuida (also known as Nvidia) has started a crackdown on companies selling advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips to China. This is the third time this year – and Musk was also consulted before authorizing the operation. But during this period, it was consistently blocked by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Washington news website Axios reported on the 11th, citing people familiar with the matter, that the standoff, which has been blocked several times, highlighted efforts to prevent US technology from falling into China’s hands and revealed cracks at the top of the government. The world is questioning why the Trump administration is slow in taking action against the company embroiled in chip smuggling and espionage scandals.

The report was based on interviews with six senior government figures who were familiar with the situation, and some who also heard firsthand the discussions. Commerce Secretary Lutnick, who is responsible for overseeing exports of sensitive technologies, was questioned. His “do-nothing” attitude toward China has attracted strong criticism from all sides. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant was also surprised and personally grilled Lutnick during a meeting at the White House.

Washington news website Axios reported on the 11th, quoting people familiar with the matter, that at a time when the spying scandal was shaking the world, at a high-level meeting held in the White House Situation Room on the 5th, Treasury Secretary Besant asked Lutnick face to face why HUDA customer MegaSpeed, which was involved in the transfer of American chips to China, was not included in the “entity blacklist” that poses a threat to national security. Why does the Commerce Department continue to obstruct the implementation of export control measures? Other members at the meeting supported Besant’s stance, with Lutnick warning that imposing export controls would “spark a trade war with China.”

Participants in the meeting also included: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, White House National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and others.

Since last autumn, White House and intelligence officials have repeatedly urged Lutnick and his key advisers to take action against MegaSpeed, but they have been rebuffed and completely uncooperative, according to people familiar with the matter.

Besant asked Lutnik face to face on the 5th: “Why is Megaspeed not included in the entity list?” Lutnick replied hesitantly: “I don’t know. I’m going to find out. I’ll have to ask the President for instructions.”

That day, the group headed to the Oval Office. Trump called technology advisor Elon Musk for this. Musk supported participants’ suggestions for implementing controls; Lutnick warned that this would “spark a trade war with China.” But others present countered: “China is already doing exactly what Lutnick warned would happen.”

With Lutnick’s only objection, Trump decided: “Let’s do it.” After everyone left the Oval Office, Lutnick used delaying tactics and said, “I’m going to make some plans first and report back later.” “At that time, everyone thought: No, the decision has been made, let’s implement it quickly,” said a person familiar with the matter. “As a result, there has been no movement so far.”

People familiar with the matter said Lutnick is concerned about the escalating U.S.-China trade war and has repeatedly rebuffed proposals from other government officials to hold MegaSpeed ​​accountable last year.

Also, it is worth noting that Besant and Lutnik have been in a state of competition for a long time; Although the Commerce Department, headed by Lutnick, is the main agency that makes export control policies, Trump is the final decision-maker.