Congressman Cohen Questions Intelligence Experts on Export Controls on Sensitive Computer Chips

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today questioned expert witnesses on intelligence and national security issues about why the Trump administration lifted export controls to allow the Chinese Communist Party to purchase high-performance but sensitive H200 GPU computer chips that can be used to strengthen the Chinese military to the detriment of the United States.

The Congressman noted that everyone who has testified before the committee has recognized the decision was a dangerous mistake, including the witnesses today.

In his remarks, the Congressman said in part:

“It all comes down to that decision. I think it’s pretty obvious who made the decision to give them chips: President Trump. Is that not correct?...All the experts we’ve had, and everybody, says ‘don’t do it. Big mistake. We’re giving away our country’s future.’ He’s more worried about the Kennedy Center’s naming and the ballroom and the golf course.” 

See his line of questioning here.

The witnesses at today’s hearing were:

• Mr. Frank Cilluffo – Director of the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security at Auburn University;
• Mr. David Feith – Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute; and 
• Dr. Seth Jones – President of the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

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