# Bessent blames Lutnick over Megaspeed export blacklist

> Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says his department has pushed for months to blacklist AI firm Megaspeed, but Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick controls the decision.

Oossa · 2026-11-13 · https://oossa.com/en/bessent-blames-lutnick-over-megaspeed-export-blacklist

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent publicly blamed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for the administration’s failure to blacklist AI firm Megaspeed, telling CNBC that Treasury “has been pushing for this for months” while Commerce “has the pen.” The dispute concerns the policing of AI chip exports.

Lutnick agreed this week to testify before Congress amid scrutiny following reports about former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s affair with a Megaspeed executive suspected of being a Chinese spy. Some Republicans continue to defend Lutnick, and his job security remains uncertain.

## The facts

- Bessent said Treasury had pushed for months to blacklist Megaspeed.
- Lutnick agreed this week to testify before Congress.

## Why it matters

For companies involved in AI chip exports, the dispute highlights that Commerce—not Treasury—holds the decision-making authority over whether Megaspeed is blacklisted; the outcome remains unclear.

## Sources & references

1. [Bessent knocks Lutnick on Megaspeed](https://www.semafor.com/article/11/13/2026/bessent-knocks-lutnick-on-megaspeed) – Semafor, 2026-11-13

Last updated: 2026-11-13