White House Weighs Ousting Lutnick as Nvidia China Export Scrutiny Hits $4.8 Billion
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Nov 12
White House Weighs Ousting Lutnick as Nvidia China Export Scrutiny Hits $4.8 Billion
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Nov 12
Summary
Senior White House officials are discussing whether to push out Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick as criticism intensifies over oversight of Nvidia chip exports to China.
Lawmakers tied the pressure to fallout from former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's resignation and reports of his relationship with a suspected Beijing spy linked to a Singapore buyer that purchased more than $4.8 billion in Nvidia AI chips since June 2024.
Congressional scrutiny widened Thursday: Senators Elizabeth Warren and Chris Coons sought records on Nvidia exports, while other Democrats questioned approvals for H200 chip sales to Chinese companies with alleged government or military links.
The pressure also reflects Lutnick's broader export-control record: the U.S. has made no new trade blacklist additions since October 2025, its longest gap in more than a decade, even after more than 100 Chinese entities were flagged.
Trump's public stance remains supportive for now, with a White House official saying earlier Thursday that the president has complete confidence in Lutnick despite calls for testimony and investigation.