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Texas governor bars state employees from using Shein, Alibaba products

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Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered a ban on state employees using products from several Chinese-owned companies, including Shein, Alibaba and TP-Link, citing concerns over data security and the privacy of Texans. The restriction applies to state-owned devices and networks and covers physical hardware, software and artificial intelligence tools.

The list of prohibited companies also includes online shopping platform Temu, battery maker CATL, Chinese drone manufacturer Autel and artificial intelligence firm iFlyTek. Abbott said the move was aimed at preventing potential access by the Chinese government to sensitive data handled by Texas state agencies.

The decision follows a broader trend among U.S. state and federal officials to limit the use of technology linked to China on security grounds. While Texas has taken a firm stance, the move comes as Washington and Beijing reached a temporary easing of tensions last October after years of trade and technology disputes.

Abbott’s order reflects ongoing concerns about foreign technology in government systems and adds Texas to a growing list of U.S. jurisdictions imposing restrictions on Chinese-linked products in the name of cybersecurity and national security.

Trump Administration Pushes Out Official Who Banned Chinese Vehicles

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The Trump administration has pushed out a senior U.S. Commerce Department official whose office played a key role in effectively barring Chinese passenger vehicles from the American market on national security grounds, according to people familiar with the matter.

Elizabeth “Liz” Cannon has resigned as executive director of the Office of Information and Communications Technology and Services (ICTS), which was created in 2022 to investigate supply-chain threats posed by foreign adversaries. Sources said Cannon would have been reassigned if she had not stepped down, and that the administration plans to replace her with a political appointee. Her departure is expected to take effect on February 20.

Cannon’s exit comes amid a broader slowdown in proposed restrictions on Chinese technology imports. The Commerce Department recently withdrew plans to restrict Chinese drones and has put on hold rules targeting medium- and heavy-duty trucks from China. However, regulations finalized last year that effectively block Chinese passenger cars over data-security concerns remain in force.

President Donald Trump has sent mixed signals on the issue, saying he would welcome Chinese automakers that build factories and hire workers in the United States. The Commerce Department said recent staffing changes would strengthen its ability to address national security risks from foreign technology.

Analysts warn Cannon’s departure could weaken U.S. expertise in assessing long-term technology threats, even as Washington and Beijing maintain a fragile trade truce.

Nvidia CEO Huang Plans China Visit to Reopen Market, Report Says

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Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang is planning a trip to China in late January as he looks to revive a key market for the company’s artificial intelligence chips, Bloomberg News reported, citing a person familiar with the matter.

According to the report, Huang is expected to attend company events ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays in February and may also visit Beijing. It remains unclear whether he will meet senior Chinese officials, and the plans could change depending on whether meetings are confirmed. Nvidia declined to comment, and Reuters could not independently verify the report.

The potential visit follows recent uncertainty over Nvidia’s ability to sell advanced AI chips in China. Last week, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump formally approved sales of Nvidia’s H200 AI chips to China under certain conditions, raising expectations that shipments could resume. However, Chinese customs authorities said shortly afterward that the chips were not permitted to enter the country, casting doubt on near-term access.

China has been a crucial market for Nvidia, and the outcome of Huang’s planned visit could signal whether progress is possible amid ongoing geopolitical and regulatory tensions surrounding advanced semiconductor exports.