Lutnick faces removal over Nvidia scandal

Senior White House officials are discussing whether to remove US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick amid growing criticism over the administration’s handling of Nvidia chip exports to China, Reuters reported.

Two officials familiar with the matter confirmed the discussions, which follow a spy scandal involving former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

Lutnick has faced criticism from US lawmakers over allegations involving Huang and Alice Huang, a suspected Chinese spy. Lawmakers have also accused the Trump administration of failing to blacklist several Chinese companies and properly monitor Nvidia’s advanced AI chip exports to China.

Neither the White House nor the Commerce Department immediately commented on the report.

However, a White House spokesperson told Reuters on Thursday that President Donald Trump had full confidence in Lutnick and his ability to perform his duties.

Meanwhile, Republican Senator John Kennedy told CNN that he was unsure whether Lutnick should be removed but supported questioning him publicly.

“There's a plan in Congress to subpoena him. This is very serious,” Kennedy said.

The United States has not added any new Chinese companies to its trade blacklist since October 2025, marking the longest such pause in more than a decade. Reuters previously reported that Washington avoided new listings amid concerns over escalating tensions with Beijing.

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said Lutnick and Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler must explain why they had failed to close loopholes in export controls.

Warren and Senator Chris Coons recently sent a joint letter to Lutnick, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, urging the administration to preserve documents related to Nvidia's AI chip exports to China and the associated national security risks.

Source: Reuters

-AJM