U.S. News: Officials Combating China Tech Pushed Out

“The Trump administration pushed out two officials focused on neutralizing technological threats from China, people familiar with the matter said, in the latest dismissals of key personnel working on national-security issues tied to Beijing.

 

The departures, from an office within the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, alarmed some U.S. officials and security hawks already concerned with what they described as the Trump administration's softening stance toward China as trade talks between the two sides continue.

 

President Trump recently agreed to sell Nvidia artificial-intelligence chips to Chinese customers. He dismissed several members of the National Security Council last year, and officials within BIS working on China-related matters also departed.

 

The latest losses were within the bureau's Office of Information and Communications Technology and Services. Set up by the first Trump administration, it has been described by many Republicans and Democrats as showing promise in limiting China's technological and economic advances that could harm U.S. national security. The OICTS is broadly charged with securing U.S. technology supply chains and communications infrastructure, and protecting Americans' data.

 

On Wednesday, Liz Cannon, the executive director of the OICTS, submitted her resignation after a pressure campaign by senior officials to get her to leave, people familiar with the matter said. Her departure follows the exit of one of her deputies, who was put on administrative leave last week, the people said.

 

"Recent staffing changes at the ICTS Office will strengthen the Office and ensure that it continues to deliver for the American people," a BIS spokesperson said in response to questions about the departures.

 

Cannon was appointed under the Biden administration, which implemented a range of punitive actions on China and technology issues. She didn't respond to requests for comment. Both OICTS officials were integral in establishing a rule last year that widely restricts the import and sale of internet-connected passenger vehicles and related hardware and software with links to China or Russia.” [1]

 

1. U.S. News: Officials Combating China Tech Pushed Out. Somerville, Heather; Ramkumar, Amrith.  Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 24 Jan 2026: A3.