The U.S. government is delaying the approval of thousands of export license applications, leaving several American companies unable to ship products and technology abroad, including to China.
Two sources knowledgeable of the situation explained these delays, stating that the government faces internal challenges threatening to stop the approval process completely.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a key figure in Trump’s trade negotiations and tariff policies, is now facing criticism. His department is being accused of stalling critical trade operations.
His team has failed to release anticipated trade regulations, maintained minimal communication with industry stakeholders, and suffered a wave of resignations and buyouts that reduced its pool of specialized staff, crippling its ability to function effectively.
BIS delays approval processes for export license applications
Earlier, Nvidia announced that officials in Washington had promised to approve its shipments of AI chips to China. Examples of these officials include Lutnick. However, reports reveal that their license has been delayed, diminishing the U.S. companies’ hope to initiate distribution soon.
Considering the situation, one of the U.S. officials acknowledged that this was the highest number of license applications in history. Lutnick’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) team also raised security concerns surrounding these license applications.
In a statement, an anonymous official said the Bureau of Industry and Security is imposing strict regulations and aggressive enforcement to align with President Donald Trump’s trade policies—disrupting the market.
Individuals who wished to expand their business overseas and tech companies that aimed for stringent export rules expressed their disappointment in the agency. According to them, this demonstrates a lack of action, yet the agency’s role is to enhance international trade.
Meghan Harris, who worked as an official on the National Security Council during the first Trump administration, has commented on the matter.
Harris noted that concerning the operation of enterprises within the United States, licensing as an activity supports the economy and reinforces the position of the U.S. as a trading superpower. Hence, in light of her reasoning, these delays and uncertainties about the licensing approval process are a net negative concerning many aspects of their economy.
Jeffrey Kessler’s action raises controversy among individuals
The licensing process is one of the U.S. rules in the export sector, to monitor the movement of sensitive products and tech devices from getting into the wrong hands, threatening the country’s security.
In March, individuals raised concerns about BIS’s under-secretary, Jeffrey Kessler’s practices of micromanaging the bureau and his lack of effective communication.
These concerns were raised after Kessler asked BIS staff to minimize communication with company spokespeople and industry executives during a staff meeting.
Later, he asked that all meetings be noted in a spreadsheet. This also includes staff requesting permission from Kessler’s office to join meetings with other government agencies, an approval that is reportedly difficult to obtain.
Concerning Kessler’s strict regulations on BIS, a representative from the agency acknowledged that this was for the good of BIS to maintain its integrity. In addition, the representative stated that it is due to his strict regulations that he has managed to win Lutnick’s trust.
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