US Commerce Secretary Lutnick allegedly delayed restrictions on sales of Nvidia chips to China

According to Axios' news, based on 6 high-level sources, there were differences of opinion in the administration of US President Donald Trump regarding limiting chip exports to China.

Sources claimed that Trump approved taking measures against companies suspected of diverting Nvidia chips to China for the third time this year, but Commerce Secretary Lutnick opposed the implementation of these restrictions.

Allegedly, at the meeting attended by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Lutnick faced Bessent's criticism, especially regarding the implementation of export controls against the Megaspeed company, which is suspected of playing a role in chip transfer to China.

It was stated that after the meeting, officials met with Trump in the Oval Office in the White House, Trump called Elon Musk by phone and approved the implementation of export controls.

It was claimed that Musk supported the views of Rubio, Bessent, Greer and Hegseth to impose restrictions, while Lutnick warned that such a step could start a trade war with China.

It was claimed that despite Trump's instruction to implement the measures, Lutnick suggested preparing new options and opening the issue for re-evaluation, but other officials stated that the decision had already been taken and wanted the implementation to start.

On the other hand, Commerce Department Spokesperson Kristen Eichamer denied the claim that Bessent confronted Lutnick, but did not comment on other allegations.