Trump Freezes Tech Export Curbs to Spur China Trade Talks

The United States has paused new restrictions on technology exports to China, the Financial Times reported, citing current and former officials. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security was recently instructed to refrain from taking “tough moves” against Beijing while trade talks are under way, effectively freezing proposed export-control rules unveiled earlier this year. The move would allow companies such as Nvidia to resume shipments of its H20 artificial-intelligence chips to Chinese customers, reversing an April curb designed to block Beijing’s access to advanced semiconductors. The decision is aimed at smoothing negotiations and helping President Donald Trump secure a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year, according to people familiar with the matter. The reported pause has drawn pushback from 20 security experts and former officials, including former deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger. In a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick seen by the FT, they warned that easing curbs risks eroding the United States’ technological and military edge in artificial intelligence. Senior economic officials from both countries are due to begin a third round of trade talks in Stockholm today.