NYT: ‘Howard Lutnick Took Softer Line on Nvidia as Calls for Tougher Controls Grew’
Ana Swanson, Tripp Mickle, Maggie Haberman, and Jonathan Swan, in a long deeply-sourced profile of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (gift link): There is broad agreement among most senior Trump administration officials that the United States should more aggressively tighten controls on Nvidia’s advanced chips to keep China from using them to catch up in the race to dominate artificial…
According to a comprehensive profile of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, he maintains a softer approach to Nvidia's advanced chips compared to calls for stricter controls. Senior officials within the Trump administration concur that the U.S. should intensify regulations on Nvidia to prevent China from closing the gap in artificial intelligence.
However, Lutnick's perspective diverges from this consensus. Within the Commerce Department, Nvidia receives special treatment, with its concerns given top priority and handled through distinct channels. Lutnick is in frequent communication with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and their private meetings are conducted in the secretary's fifth-floor office.
All matters related to Nvidia are channeled through Jeff Kessler, a top deputy to Lutnick, who reportedly requires explicit approval from the Commerce Secretary before taking significant action. Furthermore, Nvidia's general counsel enjoys direct access to influence new rules, including providing feedback on draft regulations that pertain to the company.
A photograph from a July meeting at the Cheesecake Factory in Washington D.C. depicts Lutnick engaging with Huang, as he jokingly advises, "Dude, seriously, smell my finger..."
Written by urgent.news from Daring Fireball's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
