US Commerce Chief Claims China Has Not Purchased Advanced H200 Chips Despite Trade Concerns

Lutnick Defends Trump Administration's Tech Export Policy Before Senate

During Senate testimony on Wednesday, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that China has not acquired any advanced H200 semiconductors to date, seeking to reassure lawmakers about potential military applications of American technology exports.

Appearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Lutnick described President Donald Trump's approach to technology restrictions as maintaining a "delicate balance" in relations with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The Commerce Secretary emphasized that despite the president's personal rapport with the Chinese leader, the United States was not compromising on its most sensitive technological assets.

"There is a delicate balance in the relationship with China. President Trump has the best relationship with President Xi, and he balances that," Lutnick stated, suggesting that Trump understood the nuances of this diplomatic equilibrium better than anyone.

Addressing concerns directly, Lutnick sought to provide clarity on export controls: "I would tell you, they have not bought any as of today." He further asserted that "the US was not 'selling our best chips to China under any circumstances."

However, the Commerce Secretary's assurances faced pushback from Democratic leadership. Gregory Meeks of New York, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, delivered a sharp rebuke of what he characterized as insufficient enforcement of outbound technology restrictions by the current administration.

Published: 5:46am, 23 April 2026 | Updated: 5:59am, 23 April 2026