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.