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Senator Elizabeth Warren has asked Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to explain the decision to ease export controls for the United Arab Emirates after UAE-linked investors reportedly bought a $500 million stake in World Liberty Financial.
Warren’s August 5 letter raises concerns about possible conflicts between President Donald Trump’s family business interests and national security policy. She requested Commerce’s risk assessments and details of any objections raised by other federal agencies.
July Rule Gave G42 and Core42 270 Days of License-Free Chip Access
The Bureau of Industry and Security moved the UAE into export-control Country Group A:5 under a rule effective July 10, expanding access to license exceptions for specified recipients.
G42 and Core42 were approved to receive certain advanced computing items without individual licenses for 270 days. Their approval does not extend to the broader Strategic Trade Authorization exception available to UAE government agencies and listed U.S.-headquartered AI companies.
MGX was not added as an approved entity. Commerce instead adopted a favorable review policy for license applications involving advanced semiconductors and servers destined for the Abu Dhabi investment company.
Warren Requests China and Iran Diversion Risk Assessments
Warren asked why the UAE received A:5 status even though it is not a member of the multilateral export-control regimes associated with other countries in the group.
Her letter requests copies of Commerce assessments addressing possible diversion of controlled technology to China and Iran. It also asks whether the departments of Defense, Energy, and State reviewed the rule or raised national security objections.
Warren further asked how BIS will monitor end users when exports proceed through license exceptions without individual applications and end-use documents.
$500M World Liberty Investment Drives Conflict Inquiry
UAE-linked investors acquired a reported 49% stake and board representation in World Liberty Financial shortly before Trump returned to office. The deal was backed by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s national security adviser and G42 chairman.
Warren said Tahnoon later sought approval to import advanced AI chips during meetings with U.S. officials. Commerce has cited the UAE’s defense relationship with Washington and its export-control commitments in support of the rule.
The letter sets no public response deadline. Commerce’s response to Warren’s requests for internal assessments and interagency objections remains the next unresolved step.
