US government turmoil stalls thousands of export approvals, sources say

Source: Reuters

US government turmoil stalls thousands of export approvals, sources say

Karen Freifeld and Alexandra Alper
Updated Fri, August 1, 2025 at 11:22 AM EDT 4 min read

(Reuters) -Thousands of license applications by U.S. companies to export goods and technology around the globe, including to China, are in limbo because turmoil at the agency in charge of approving them has left it nearly paralyzed, two sources said.

While U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has become a familiar face touting President Donald Trump's tariff and trade deals, sources said the export bureau under Lutnick's command has failed to issue expected new rules, stifled communications with industry representatives, pushed out experts, and lost staff through buyouts and resignations.

Shipments of artificial intelligence chips from Nvidia to China are the most high-profile example of licenses not being swiftly approved. The company said July 14 the government assured it licenses would be granted for its H20 chip, and it hoped to start deliveries soon. Lutnick and other officials confirmed sales would be allowed.

But sources said this week no licenses have yet been issued, and billions of dollars of AI chip orders are at stake.

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Read more: https://tech.yahoo.com/business/articles/us-government-turmoil-stalls-thousands-152237955.html