By — Mike Catalini, Associated Press Mike Catalini, Associated Press By — Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/bessent-blames-lutnicks-commerce-department-for-not-restricting-nvidia-chips-to-china Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Bessent blames Lutnick's Commerce Department for not restricting Nvidia chips to China Politics Nov 13, 2026 12:09 PM EST WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday he was frustrated with the Commerce Department's delay in implementing controls over the export of certain Nvidia chips to China. Bessent said on CNBC that his department, along with the departments of State and Defense and the U.S. Trade Representative, were in favor of adding Megaspeed to an export control list for months but that the Commerce Department was in charge of the matter. "I am frustrated when President Trump made it very clear China should not receive any Nvidia chips above H100s," he said. Commerce "has the pen, and you will have to ask them about their internal processes." Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis…
Bessent blames Lutnick's Commerce Department for not restricting Nvidia chips to China
In short
Multiple federal agencies and the U.S. Trade Representative spent months advocating for Singapore-based Megaspeed International to be placed on an export control list. Despite President Trump's position restricting China from acquiring Nvidia chips superior to H100s, the Commerce Department delayed imposing these critical trade curbs. Scrutiny has intensified around Howard Lutnick's ties to Jensen Huang, who resigned following reports of an affair with a suspected Chinese spy tied to Megaspeed. Megaspeed has denied illicit shipping allegations, maintaining it remains committed to complying with American export regulations.
Key points
- The Commerce Department delayed export restrictions despite consensus from multiple natio…: The Commerce Department delayed export restrictions despite consensus from multiple national security and economic agencies.
- Intermediaries like Megaspeed International allegedly enabled Chinese firms to circumvent…: Intermediaries like Megaspeed International allegedly enabled Chinese firms to circumvent U.S. restrictions on advanced semiconductor hardware.
- Megaspeed International maintained on Thursday that it takes compliance with American exp…: Megaspeed International maintained on Thursday that it takes compliance with American export laws seriously and will cooperate transparently.