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President Donald Trump has unexpectedly withdrawn the nomination of Landon Heid, a strong China hawk, for assistant secretary for export administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce. The position oversees export controls critical to national security, making the move a notable shift in the U.S.-China technology rivalry.
Trump had nominated Heid in February, but his name was pulled on Wednesday, according to Congress.gov. The decision sparked concerns among national security experts, who fear it could signal a softer U.S. stance toward Beijing. Chris McGuire, a former State Department and White House National Security Council official, called the move “very concerning,” warning it might weaken restrictions on advanced U.S. technology sales to China.
Heid, currently serving on the National Security Council, has not commented publicly. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly defended Heid, calling him a “valued voice” who will continue advancing the President’s America First Asia strategy from within the NSC. She dismissed outside speculation on the withdrawal.
Heid previously worked for the House Select Committee on China, which supported the Biden administration’s global AI chip restrictions and measures targeting Chinese biotech firms. His reputation as a tough policy enforcer made his nomination significant in the broader U.S.-China tech battle.
The Trump administration has recently moved in a different direction, signaling plans to roll back global chip curbs. In July, it reversed an April decision restricting sales of advanced AI chips, including Nvidia’s H20, to China.
The withdrawal of Heid’s nomination raises questions about whether the administration intends to ease export restrictions, potentially reshaping U.S. technology strategy toward China at a critical moment in the global semiconductor race.
